Meghalaya

The Centre has approved handing over the charge of Vice-Chancellor of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) to Prof Saroj Kanta Barik, the second senior-most professor at the university's Department of Botany, after the tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor ends on July 26. According to an order issued by the Ministry of Education on July 22, the President of India, in her capacity as the Visitor of NEHU, approved the proposal for Barik to assume charge until a new vice-chancellor takes office. The order, addressed to the NEHU Registrar, states that Barik will take over the responsibilities of the vice-chancellor following the expiry of Shukla's term, ensuring continuity in the university's administration while the appointment process for a regular vice-chancellor is completed. ...

Meghalaya's premium pineapples have entered the quick-commerce market in Bengaluru, expanding the state's reach to urban consumers through online grocery delivery services. The produce is being sourced directly from the Jirang Organic Farmer Producer Company and air-freighted to Bengaluru, a move the state government said is aimed at improving market access for farmers and ensuring better prices for their produce. The pineapples are known for their high Brix value, sweetness and aroma. Officials said the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen direct market linkages for farmers and reduce reliance on traditional supply chains. The development comes after the fourth Meghalaya Pineapple Festival at Dilli Haat in New Delhi, where the government said around 30 metric tonn...

The Government of Meghalaya and the State Bank of India (SBI) on Thursday signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the State Government Salary Package (SGSP), introducing enhanced banking and financial benefits for government employees. Replacing the 2012 agreement, the revised package offers higher insurance coverage, concessional loan facilities, upgraded digital banking services, family banking benefits and other value-added financial services for both existing SGSP account holders and newly recruited employees. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who attended the signing ceremony, said the revised partnership reflects the Government's commitment to improving employee welfare by providing better financial products and modern banking solutions. As of June 30, 2026, m...

The National People’s Party (NPP) has vehemently cricitised the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) for allegedly disapproving development works by the NPP-led government. Responding to VPP allegations regarding his Jowai constituency, Cabinet Minister Wailadmiki Shylla urged the voters not to believe in any criticism by VPP which “lacked unity” within the party. Shylla, during his address at an election campaign for NPP Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll candidate Dr DRL Nonglait at Ummulong in West Jaintia Hills, said VPP had undermined traditional institutions by scrapping provisions that required headmen to certify land in villages. “Isn’t this taking away the power of our headmen?” he asked. Targeting the VPP’s four MLAs, Shylla said the party had failed to present a united...

The Supreme Court on July 23 cancelled the bail granted to Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is accused of murdering her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya in 2025. A bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and P B Varale allowed the Meghalaya government's plea challenging the bail order and directed Sonam to surrender before the police within three weeks. The apex court also observed that if the trial does not commence and conclude within six months, Sonam will be free to file a fresh bail application. Sonam, a resident of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, was arrested in June 2025 in connection with the murder of her husband, businessman Raja Raghuvanshi. The couple had gone missing after travelling to Sohra in Meghalaya on May 23, 2025, for their honeymoon. Raja's b...

The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly's Estimates Committee on July 22directed the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department to identify a new site for the stalled Pohkseh Water Supply Scheme after the project's pumping system collapsed a few years ago. The committee also said the first phase of the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme remains on track for completion by December 2027. The directions came during the committee's inspection of the Pohkseh Water Supply Scheme, the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme at Mawpdang and the 2nd IT Park Building at the Shillong Technology Campus. The inspection was led by committee chairman Mayralborn Syiem and attended by members Miani D Shira, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Remington G Momin, along with officials from the Meghalaya Legislative Assemb...

BJP Meghalaya spokesperson Arnab Das has denied that the party endorses recent statements circulating on social media and reported by some media outlets, saying they are false. Das said the party had sought clarification from its Yuva Morcha president, who categorically denied making the alleged remarks. He added that statements attributed to social media accounts should be verified, citing previous instances of leaders’ accounts being hacked or misused. Das said the party’s official statements are issued through proper channels and rejected what he described as “irresponsible statements” being attributed to the BJP. He said BJP Meghalaya respects the fundamental right of students to protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, but accused other political parties of attempting to “hijack” the de...

Meghalaya has achieved 98.17 per cent distribution of enumeration forms under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with the Election Department expressing confidence that the exercise will be completed within the timeline set by the Election Commission of India (ECI). According to the CEO, BDR Tiwari 23,06,605 enumeration forms have been distributed out of the state’s 23,49,645 registered electors, while 14,07,446 forms, accounting for 62.15 per cent of the electorate, have already been digitised. The CEO said all ASDD cases will be processed in accordance with the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, following due verification and after providing concerned electors an opportunity to be heard wherever applicable. Tiwari said West Jaintia Hills, South ...

Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma met the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, on 21 July 2026 and sought the Centre's support to take forward a set of civil aviation projects aimed at improving air connectivity across Meghalaya. In each project the State Government has already completed its part of the work, and specific approvals and decisions from the Ministry will now allow them to move ahead. The foremost priority is the expansion of Shillong Airport at Umroi. The State has transferred the required 22 acres of land to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the environmental clearance is in place, and AAI has awarded the runway expansion work. Once completed, the longer runway will allow larger aircraft such as the A320 to operate, opening the poss...

The Meghalaya government is considering the creation of a single authority to manage urban water supply systems, aiming to improve coordination, reduce delays and provide faster solutions to public complaints. The proposed reform is intended to eliminate overlapping responsibilities among multiple agencies involved in water distribution. Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Marcuise N Marak said the current system in urban areas such as Shillong and Tura often leads to delays in resolving issues because different departments share responsibility for various parts of the supply network. Speaking during the inauguration of the State-Level Jal Utsav 2026 under the theme “Celebrating Water, Securing Sources,” Marak said the government is exploring a unified approach based on the pri...