Saturday, August 29

Meghalaya

No power cuts this year: CM
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Meghalaya

No power cuts this year: CM

In what can be termed as good news, citizens of the state will not be subjected to any scheduled load-shedding this year despite the poor financial condition of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL). Announcing this on Tuesday, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the fiscal condition of the Corporation has been improving since the government has been sanctioning Rs 900 crore every year for the MeECL. “We could have used this money for building schools and improving healthcare but the money is being used to make MeECL better,” he stated. The Corporation’s scheduled losses have reduced and even the Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses have come down to 18%, Sangma said, adding that efforts are on to make the organisation more profitable and professional. A...
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Meghalaya has unveiled a riverbank protection plan for West Garo Hills
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Meghalaya

Meghalaya has unveiled a riverbank protection plan for West Garo Hills

The West Garo Hills riverbank protection project was announced by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in an effort to address the area's frequent flooding. In the March 4 Budget Session, Water Resources Minister Comingone Ymbon presented ideas for both short-term relief and long-term mitigation. In response to questions from lawmaker Mizanur Kazi, Minister Rymbui said that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being developed for Phulbari town's riverside protection from Patakata village to Bhaitbari valley. The project intends to stop the erosion that has negatively affected the area due to the Brahmaputra and Jinjiram rivers. "The Public Works Department has taken up repairs to restore eroded portions and damaged embankments caused by river Rongai, Jinjiram and also the back flow of rive...
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ICFAI University Tura revives Garo traditional games during Varsity Week 2025
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Meghalaya

ICFAI University Tura revives Garo traditional games during Varsity Week 2025

ICFAI University, Tura, has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Garo traditional games by incorporating them into Varsity Week 2025, which commenced on March 3 and will run until March 7 at the university campus. The event features a mix of literary, cultural, and fine arts competitions, but the spotlight remains on the indigenous Garo games—Wa’pong Sika and An.ding Oka. These traditional sports have drawn enthusiastic participation from students eager to reconnect with their cultural heritage. Wa’pong Sika, similar to tug-of-war, uses a stout bamboo pole instead of a rope, with teams pushing against each other to cross a marked boundary. Historically, it was played by young men from the Nokpantes (Bachelors’ Dormitories) of the Garo tribe. Meanwhile, An.ding Oka involves a test of...
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Meghalaya Investment Promotion Bill introduced in Assembly
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Meghalaya

Meghalaya Investment Promotion Bill introduced in Assembly

The controversial Meghalaya State Investment Promotion and Facilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Assembly on Monday. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma introduced it in the House. He also tabled the Meghalaya Right to Public Services (Amendment) Rules, 2024. The content of the MSIPF (Amendment) bill states that this may be called the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion and Facilitation (Amendment) Act, 2025 and it shall come into force on the date of its publication in the official gazette . The amendment of section 2 states that the existing sub-section (vi) to sub-section (xix) of section 2 shall be renumbered as sub-section (vii) to sub-section (xx) and a new section (vi) shall be added, as (vi) “Autonomous District Councils” means Khasi Hills Autonomous Distr...
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South Garo Hills MLAs seek rail link to Dhaka
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Meghalaya

South Garo Hills MLAs seek rail link to Dhaka

In a contrasting scenario of political mindset between Khasi & Jaintia tribes and that of the Garos, three NPP MLAs from South Garo Hills on Monday called for expansion of the railway network in Garo Hills and a railway line from Baghmara to the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka in order to boost connectivity and regional trade in the state’s western region. This significant push for greater connectivity in Garo Hills comes at a time when the railway projects in Khasi-Jaintia Hills are facing an uncertain future with the Centre seeking refund of Rs 270 for the “scrapped” Shillong-Byrnihat railway project. The three legislators from South Garo Hills will submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, urging the state government for a broader railway network extending from Guwahat...
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The Meghalaya Transport Department requires public vehicle location tracking
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Meghalaya

The Meghalaya Transport Department requires public vehicle location tracking

The Meghalaya Transport Department has required that all public service vehicles and those needing or possessing national permits have emergency buttons and Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTD), in accordance with Rule 125H of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. With minor adjustments to data protocols and formats to interface with the state government-established Command and Control Center, this directive complies with the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS-140) as set forth by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). In the first phase of implementation, government-owned public transportation vehicles, such as buses run by Urban Affairs, government hospitals, and educational and training institutions; public transportation vehicles owned by PSUs, such as MTC, STEMS...
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Meghalaya BSF apprehends three illegal Bangladeshi nationals in East Khasi Hills
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Meghalaya

Meghalaya BSF apprehends three illegal Bangladeshi nationals in East Khasi Hills

The Border Security Force (BSF) Meghalaya has detained three Bangladeshi nationals along with an Indian driver near the international border in East Khasi Hills district. Acting on specific intelligence, troops from the 4th Battalion BSF intercepted a Swift Dzire in the Umsyiem area, which was allegedly attempting an illegal border crossing. The detained individuals were identified as residents of Dhaka, Bangladesh, who had entered India without proper documentation. Following their apprehension, the BSF handed over the individuals and the seized vehicle to Pynursla Police Station for further legal proceedings. The BSF has intensified vigilance along the Indo-Bangladesh border, aiming to curb illegal infiltration and human trafficking. Officials have reiterated their commitment to p...
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Shillong Medical College to begin class this year: Health Minister
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Meghalaya

Shillong Medical College to begin class this year: Health Minister

Meghalaya Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, has announced that the state government aims to start MBBS classes at Shillong Medical College this year. Responding to a query raised by Dr. Mukul Sangma in the Assembly on Monday, Lyngdoh stated that the Pasteur Institute will be converted into an administrative complex and preparations are underway, including arrangements for hospital beds and infrastructure. She acknowledged the significant financial investment required but emphasized that many essential facilities are already in place, reducing the need for excessive spending. The state government has already partnered with North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) and is awaiting an inspection by the Medical Assessment and Monitoring Committee (MMC) to assess the college's preparedness.
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Seven rivers in Meghalaya polluted: MSPCB
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Meghalaya

Seven rivers in Meghalaya polluted: MSPCB

Seven major water bodies in Meghalaya have been identified as polluted, raising concerns over water quality and environmental degradation in the state. The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board has confirmed the contamination in the seven water bodies through its extensive water quality monitoring network. According to the MSPCB, the affected water bodies include the Umkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers in East Khasi Hills, Kyrhukhla river, Lunar river (a tributary of Lukha) at Myndihati in East Jaintia Hills, Umtrew river (Byrnihat) in Ri-Bhoi, Myntdu river (Jowai) in West Jaintia Hills, and Nonbah river (Nongstoin) in West Khasi Hills. The Umkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers in Shillong, for instance, have suffered from unchecked waste disposal, sewage discharge, and encroachments. The Myntdu ri...
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Meghalaya HC takes suo motu cognizance on wetland preservation
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Meghalaya

Meghalaya HC takes suo motu cognizance on wetland preservation

The Meghalaya High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of wetland conservation in the state, initiating a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to verify the Meghalaya State Wetland Authority’s claim that there are no notified Ramsar sites in the region. The move follows a Supreme Court order (December 11, 2024), directing High Courts to ensure that Ramsar Convention sites under their jurisdiction are properly maintained, recognizing wetlands as heritage sites of international importance. Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji has directed the Registrar General to issue notices to the State Government, the Meghalaya State Wetland Authority, and the Chief Conservator of Forests by March 5, 2025. The court seeks to ensure compliance with wetland protection laws and Supreme Court directives. The Meghalaya...
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