Meghalaya

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report for the year ending March 31, 2020, has unearthed financial lapses in the KHADC including an irregular payment of Rs 1.50 crore by the Council for consultancy services. It has also identified systemic deficiencies and a lack of internal controls in the collection of Professional Tax by the KHADC. The report was presented on the first day of the council’s budget session on Wednesday. The report recommended an investigation into the selection process of M/s TA Consultancy Services and the individuals responsible for the payment, particularly since the work was carried out by the council’s technical branch. According to the CAG, M/s TA Consultancy Services, Shillong, submitted an application on October 10, 2018, offering consult...

Meghalaya hosted the 7th Act East Business Show in Shillong, bringing together dignitaries from 13 countries and provinces to boost trade and economic ties between BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) and ASEAN nations. The event focused on technology, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, positioning Meghalaya as a key economic hub in the Northeast. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma emphasized the state's commitment to attracting investments and fostering partnerships, aligning with Meghalaya’s vision of achieving a $10 billion economy. Highlighting policy reforms, infrastructure development, entrepreneurship promotion, and grassroots economic networks, Sangma stressed their crucial role in reshaping the state’s economic roadmap. He also underscored India’s proactive approach i...

More than 1.92 lakh metric tonnes of illegal coal have been detected in four districts of Meghalaya during an aerial survey, casting doubts on the state government’s claim of having cracked down on illegal coal mining and transportation. Justice (retired) BP Katakey, who heads a committee appointed by the High Court of Meghalaya, told media persons on Tuesday that an area of about 740 sq. km was surveyed aerially based on the coordinates of the inventoried coal found earlier. He said the aerial survey report has been submitted, and the purpose behind the exercise was to locate coal other than the inventoried quantity shifted to the designated depots of Coal India Limited (CIL). The coal found in the East Jaintia, South West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, and South Garo Hills distric...

Mawrah Village in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district has won the Winner Award at the 4th Water Sustainability Award (National Award) 2024-25 for its community-based water management initiative. The award, organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in partnership with UNDP, the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), and the Department of Water Resources, was presented at Jacranda Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Mawrah Reservoir Project won in the category “Excellence in Participatory Water Management for Enhancing Water Management through Community Participation.” The initiative, led by the Soil & Water Conservation Department, Meghalaya, is the first project from the state to receive national recognition for community-driven water resource management. The awa...

Meghalaya’s wait for more than 24 years for a permanent Assembly building is expected to end soon. The construction of the Assembly building at New Shillong Township is almost complete. The dome on the central part of the building was erected recently and the only external work left is the placing of a minar (turret) above it. An official said the turret, designed and constructed elsewhere in India, will reach Shillong on Tuesday. “The minar will be erected by the end of April,” he said. While the structural work is more or less completed, the focus is shifting to the interior work of the building. It was learnt that a New Delhi-based company has been selected to execute the interior work, which is expected to begin soon. Assembly Speaker, Thomas A Sangma on Monday inspected and cha...

Student organisations at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) have urged non-teaching staff to disregard directives from top administrators who they claim are leading the institution remotely in violation of governance norms. The NEHU Students' Union (NEHUSU) and Khasi Students' Union (KSU) have formally asked the university's non-teaching staff association to ignore any orders from Vice Chancellor Prof. PS Shukla and Registrar Col. Omkar Singh, citing their prolonged absence from campus. According to the student bodies, Prof. Shukla has been on leave for 127 days since November 15, 2024, and his attempts to resume duties remotely from Delhi are "arbitrary and against established rules." Similarly, they argue that Col. Singh has not reported back to the university since taking leave...

The Indian Army has invited online applications from unmarried male candidates belonging to Meghalaya for the recruitment of Agniveers under the Agnipath Scheme for the year 2025-26. The online registration process is currently open and will continue till April 10, 2025. The selection process will be conducted in two phases. The first phase includes an Online Computer-Based Written Examination (CEE) at designated centres within the state, and the second phase will comprise a recruitment rally for those who qualify in the merit list of the CEE.