Meghalaya

On August 27, the Meghalaya Assembly decisively rejected the Meghalaya Reservation for Non-Creamy Layer of Scheduled Tribes (in State Reservation Policy) Bill, 2024, in a voice vote. The bill, proposed by Adelbert Nongrum, an opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) legislator from North Shillong, failed to secure the necessary support. Following the vote, Assembly Deputy Speaker Timothy D. Shira announced, “The No’s have it, the motion is not carried and leave to introduce the Bill is not granted.” Nongrum had argued that the bill aimed to provide reservation for the non-creamy layer of Scheduled Tribes within the state, aligning with the State Reservation Policy. He presented empirical data indicating that a significant portion of the Scheduled Tribe population in Meghalaya is econ...

The Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) has requested an extension from the Meghalaya government to respond to the relocation plan for 342 families from Them Iew Mawlong. The original 15-day deadline, set by the government, was deemed insufficient by the committee for thorough consultations. In a statement issued on August 26, HPC Secretary Gurjit Singh explained that the committee needs additional time to engage with key Sikh community leaders and organizations. "We plan to consult with the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee in Amritsar, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, and other senior leaders for their guidance," Singh stated. However, he noted that these leaders are unavailable for consultations for the next two to three weeks d...

Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary, highlighted Meghalaya’s distinctive landscapes and rich cultural heritage during a press conference on Friday. Addressing reporters on his third day in the state, Dr. Choudhary underscored the central government's commitment to ensuring that Meghalaya's growth is both inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Dr. Choudhary, who had recently returned from South West Khasi Hills, emphasized the importance of balancing development with conservation. “Meghalaya holds a special place in our country due to its unique landscapes and vibrant community. We are dedicated to promoting sustainable growth that aligns with the state’s environmental values,” he said. The Union Minister detailed several central government initiatives aim...

The sequel to the 1997 war film Border has sparked excitement about the cast and plot. Sunny Deol is returning, while other details remain under wraps. Varun Dhawan is set to join the cast, and fans are eagerly awaiting the news. TV stars Nakuul Mehta and Kriti Sanon have also expressed their reactions to the news. Varun Dhawan has announced his joining the cast of Border 2, a war film directed by JP and Nidhi Dutta. The actor will play an army person. Nakuul Mehta, Kriti Sanon, and fashion designer Manish Malhotra reacted to the announcement, with Nakuul Mehta saluting the actor, Kriti Sanon expressing his admiration, and Manish Malhotra expressing his heartfelt support. Varun shared a clip in which he praises the Border franchise as "India's Biggest War Film Gets Bigger," stating ...

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. ...