Meghalaya

On June 5, the BIS Guwahati Branch Office organized an interactive session with stakeholders, industries, academia, and laboratories at Hotel Pinewood, Shillong. The session was led by Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari, IAS, Director General of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), and attended by Shri Pravin Bakshi, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, Government of Meghalaya, along with other officials. In his address, Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari emphasized the critical importance of quality consciousness in both products and processes. He highlighted the role of certified standards in enhancing product quality and stressed the need for increased awareness and compliance with quality control orders among manufacturers. Tiwari outlined v...

Meghalaya has garnered attention for securing the fifth-lowest pass percentage in the country in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).Following the announcement of the medical entrance exam results by the National Testing Agency (NTA), data from the Ministry of Education revealed that out of the 3,815 candidates who appeared for the exam in Meghalaya, only 1,837 successfully passed, constituting a pass percentage of 48.15, ranking it fifth-lowest nationwide. Kashish Samee, hailing from the General category, clinched the top spot in Meghalaya's results, securing a rank of 3,732.During the exam administration, concerns were raised regarding discrepancies at least two examination centers in Jowai and Nongpoh. However, it remains uncertain whether these issues had any impact o...

Dr. Eureka Lyngdoh, Principal of Sankardev College, emphasized the importance of preparation in implementing new educational policies, reflecting on the state's experience with the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). Dr. Lyngdoh remarked that had Meghalaya prepared in advance for the CUET's implementation two years ago, the state would not have faced the challenges it did on Saturday."We, as principals of various colleges, need adequate time to implement any new initiative," Dr. Lyngdoh stated. She also mentioned that college principals had urged the National Testing Agency (NTA) to ensure proper infrastructure, including digital facilities, for the CUET. In a significant development, Meghalaya has been granted an exemption from the CUET for the academic year 2024-25. This decision...

Necessary arrangements for the vote counting of Meghalaya's two Lok Sabha constituencies on June 4 have been finalized, officials confirmed. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) BDR Tiwari held a meeting with representatives from all political parties, providing a detailed presentation on the counting procedures. The CEO's office announced that the vote counting will commence promptly at 8:00 AM. A total of 369 tables will be used for the process, distributed across seven districts under the 1-Shillong (ST) parliamentary constituency (PC) and five districts under the 2-Tura (ST) PC. Specifically, 244 tables will be deployed for the Tura constituency and 125 for Shillong. The 15-Mawlai assembly segment, the largest in terms of the number of electors, will undergo counting in nine rounds. There...

Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh announced a positive response from approximately 200 street vendors in the Khyndai Lad area of Shillong, who have voluntarily registered for the government's relocation plan. The initiative aims to provide these vendors with designated spaces under one roof, equipped with essential facilities such as washrooms and water supply, which are currently lacking. Emphasizing the priority given to genuine residents of Meghalaya, Lyngdoh stated, "They will have identified spaces provided by Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA), ensuring basic amenities." This measure forms part of a broader effort to regulate street vending and enhance pedestrian spaces in Shillong. Addressing concerns about some hawkers being unaware of the relocation process, Lyngdo...

The Mupliang Presbyterian Church, a revered place of worship standing for 15 years, was engulfed in flames in the early hours of today, plunging the local community into mourning and disbelief. The tranquil night was shattered around 1:30 am as flames erupted within the walls of Mupliang Presbyterian Church in the surroundings of the West Jaiñtia Hills district. Initial investigations point to a suspected short circuit originating from the church's storeroom, where a generator was housed, as the cause of the inferno, a detail corroborated by church elders. By 2 am, the fire had raged uncontrollably, devouring everything in its path. Despite frantic efforts by church members, who resorted to ringing the church bell in a desperate plea for assistance, the flames continued to spread relen...

In her inaugural statements as the newly appointed Director General of Police (DGP) of the state, Idashisha Nongrang emphasized leveraging her perspective as a woman to bolster safety measures and enhance police accessibility for all citizens. Addressing reporters on Monday, Nongrang underscored the imperative need for heightened police accessibility to the public. "There is ample room for improvement in terms of the accessibility of the police force to the public," she remarked, highlighting her commitment to fostering a safer environment for all. Responding to queries regarding the alarming rise in crimes against women despite efforts, the DGP assured a proactive approach towards addressing underlying issues. She noted positive strides in curbing crime rates in certain districts, cit...

Suspended Meghalaya police officer Gabriel K Iangrai has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against the state's Director General of Police (DGP), Lajja Ram Bishnoi, accusing him of misusing and tampering with the registration number of his vehicle.In the FIR registered at the Sadar Police Station, Iangrai alleged that DGP Bishnoi replaced the number plate of his white Kia Carnival Limousine model with a new registration number allocated to a Hyundai Verna 1.6 VTVT vehicle. The Hyundai Verna 1.6 VTVT vehicle had previously come under scrutiny of an enquiry committee investigating a vehicle scam allegedly involving Iangrai. The internal inquiry revealed Iangrai's involvement in the acquisition of 29 unregistered vehicles, which were allegedly used for personal purposes. Citing a Rig...