Meghalaya

Starting June 1, Meghalaya will enforce a complete ban on single-use plastics in East Khasi Hills district as part of a major step to fight pollution. The order follows directions from the Meghalaya High Court and aims to reduce plastic waste harming the environment. The District Magistrate has issued strict orders banning the use, sale, and production of plastic carry bags below 120 microns in thickness. The ban also covers plastic items such as ear buds, balloon sticks, candy and ice cream sticks, thermocol decorations, and plastic wrapping films on sweet boxes and invitations. Food outlets and vendors will no longer be allowed to use plastic plates, glasses, straws, cutlery, and stirrers. Even PVC banners below 100 microns have been prohibited. Products labeled as “biodegradab...

The search for a missing couple from Indore intensified in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills as police deployed drones and K9 squads on Wednesday in the Sohra region. The couple, Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam, went missing on Sunday evening after visiting the famed living root bridges in Nongriat village. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma assured full support and informed that he had spoken to his Madhya Pradesh counterpart to coordinate efforts. “All possible help is being extended by Meghalaya Police and local authorities to trace the couple,” a senior official close to the CM said. Police investigations revealed the couple checked into a homestay in Mawlakhiat village on May 22 before heading to Nongriat. They checked out the next day but never returned. Their rented scoo...

Three major associations at North-Eastern Hill University have called for a boycott of the Executive Council meeting scheduled for May 30 in New Delhi, escalating the ongoing administrative crisis at the prestigious institution. The North-Eastern Hill University Teachers' Association (NEHUTA), North-Eastern Hill University Non-Teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA), and North-Eastern Hill University Students' Union (NEHUSU) issued a joint appeal urging executive council members to stay away from the meeting, which they claim is "illegitimate." The controversy centres around Vice Chancellor Prof Shukla, who has been absent from the university's Shillong headquarters for over 193 days. He went on earned leave from November 15 last year following advice from the Director of the Union Ministry ...

An important turning point in Meghalaya's attempts to enhance the infrastructure for grassroots government was reached today with the opening of a new Block Development Integrated Complex in Songsak, East Garo Hills. The project is a component of the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) program of the federal government, which has played a significant role in the modernization of state-wide block-level administrative offices. Conrad K. Sangma, the chief minister who oversaw the opening, emphasized the significance of the project by pointing out that many block offices had been in poor condition for many years. With 56 blocks dispersed throughout Meghalaya, the state has improved service delivery in rural areas and greatly improved working conditions for public em...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday unveiled the design of the upcoming Tura Secretariat, announcing a significant ₹150 crore allocation for the project aimed at transforming administrative infrastructure in the Garo Hills. Originally budgeted at ₹30 crore, the revised investment underscores the state government's focus on decentralised governance and development in western Meghalaya. The tendering process has begun, and construction is expected to start soon. In a bid to improve water access, Sangma also inspected the Dorengkigre intake point of the Williamnagar Urban Water Supply Project under AMRUT 2.0. The initiative is part of the government’s larger plan to upgrade urban water infrastructure across the state. While visiting Samanda village in East Garo Hills, ...

The Meghalaya government had missed deadline to submit the nomination dossier to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for the iconic Living Root Bridges, locally known as Jingkieng Jri. Chief of the Culture Unit at UNESCO’s New Delhi South Asia Regional Office, Junhi Han explained that the nomination process is rigorous, typically taking around 18 months. Han, who was here to attend a one-day workshop on preparation of the World Heritage nomina tion dossier, said the deadline for submitting the nomination dossier to the World Heritage Centre in Paris is the beginning of February every year. “Since the 2025 deadline has already passed, the Meghalaya government will have to target February 2026 for its submission,” the UNESCO representative said while adding that if the dossier is deemed ...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma officially opened two dormitories for ladies in the North Garo Hills district. At Mendipathar College, a Rs 3 crore girls' hostel built in accordance with Article 275 was opened. It will be run by the Awe Self Help Group (SHG) and function as a non-profit organization. An additional Rs 2.5 crore Tribal Girls' Hostel in Resubelpara was also opened. The Ramke Memorial School will oversee it. According to the chief minister, the hostels will help females from far-flung places finish their education while offering a respectable, safe, and secure living environment. During an event in Mendipathar earlier in the day, he also introduced two significant initiatives to speed up the state's #ClimateAction and #ClimateAdaptation activities. It is anticipa...

Umiam Lake is abuzz with activity as the 3rd North East Regatta set sail today, drawing 79 top sailors from nine prestigious clubs across India. The six-day event, held from May 25 to 29, is one of the country’s premier sailing competitions and places Meghalaya firmly on the national sailing map. Organised by the Umiam Sailing Club in partnership with the Yachting Association of India and backed by the Meghalaya Tourism Department, the regatta features races across five boat classes—Optimist, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, 420, and 29er. The inclusion of double-handed boats like the 420 and 29er signals a leap in the region’s competitive standards. The event places strong focus on youth participation and teamwork, aiming to nurture local talent while promoting water sports culture in the Northeast...

Prominent RTI activist and lawyer Napoleon Mawphniang has raised serious concerns over the lack of transparency in Meghalaya's flagship Lakadong Turmeric Project. In a formal complaint to top authorities, Mawphniang accused the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) of obstructing access to crucial documents under the RTI Act. “The responses I received were either non-existent or evasive. There were excessive delays and vague denials citing ‘administrative burden,’” Mawphniang said, calling the situation a “systematic pattern of opacity.” The Lakadong Turmeric Project, aimed at promoting high-curcumin turmeric cultivation, has received significant attention for its potential to boost farmers’ income. However, Mawphniang alleges that the MBDA has failed to provide verifiable data ...