Meghalaya Archives - Page 213 of 246

Maneka Gandhi raises serious objections against illegal bullfighting

14Feb

By Banasree SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Maneka Gandhi raises serious objections against illegal bullfighting

Maneka Gandhi, a prominent animal rights activist and former Union Minister, has voiced strong opposition to an unlawful bullfighting contest that took place in Smit, East Khasi Hills, on January 10, 2025. The controversial event, which was part of a local festival, infuriated legal experts and animal rights advocates since it flagrantly violated existing animal welfare laws. According to some stories, the event's illicit nature was exacerbated by illegal gambling in addition to bullfighting. Gandhi was immediately outraged by the incidence and wrote to DP Wahlang, the chief secretary of Meghalaya. She urged the state administration to take decisive action to prevent future occurrences of this kind. The government swiftly stepped in to address this, resulting in a significant policy in...

Meghalaya’s tax revenue doubles in six years, education sector gets major boost: CM Sangma

13Feb

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya’s tax revenue doubles in six years, education sector gets major boost: CM Sangma

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced a significant surge in the state’s tax revenue during the first live pre-budget consultation for FY 2025-26 on Wednesday. The state’s own tax revenue increased from ₹1,450 crore in 2018 to ₹3,217 crore in 2025, marking a substantial financial milestone for the northeastern state. Sangma attributed the rise to the government’s consistent efforts to plug loopholes and improve revenue collection, particularly in the excise sector. He highlighted that excise revenue alone jumped from ₹199 crore to ₹458 crore over six years, with expectations of crossing ₹520 crore this year. “From ₹199 crore to ₹500 crore reflects the commitment of this government to plug the loopholes,” Sangma said, emphasizing the critical role of technology in monitoring ...

Meghalaya raises FY 2024 education budget by 14%

13Feb

By Banasree SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya raises FY 2024 education budget by 14%

The Meghalaya government has reaffirmed its commitment to bolstering the education sector by increasing budget for the department by 14% for FY 2024. In order to increase access to higher education, the state intends to open eight or nine additional government institutions in a variety of subject areas. "We will be having almost close to 8-9 new government colleges in different disciplines being activated this year itself in terms of higher and technical education," stated Conrad K. Sangma, the chief minister. There are currently 4,172 aided schools and colleges in the state, including 47 in East Khasi Hills, 15 in West Garo Hills, and 10 in Ri Bhoi. The number of institutions in the other districts is in the single digits. In an effort to improve higher education, the state has also i...

Nongkrem MDC confident over Ardent losing 2028 election

13Feb

By editorNo Comments

Meghalaya

Nongkrem MDC confident over Ardent losing 2028 election

Independent candidate from Nongkrem constituency, Lambor Malngiang said voters of Nongkrem are ready to show a ‘red card’ to VPP chief and sitting MLA, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit in the 2028 Assembly polls. Addressing an election rally at Smit on Tuesday night, Malngiang said the people of Nongkrem have faced great difficulties over the past two years since the sitting MLA refused to help them. Malngiang said there is no point in electing an MLA who is shying away from performing his responsibilities on the flimsy ground that he is not in power. “We need a leader who is ready to work for the people. I disagree with the observation that the MDC election is a semi-final. I consider this election as the final since the people will give a red card to the sitting VPP MLA in 2028,” Malngiang,...

KSU: Railway projects in state a closed chapter

13Feb

By editorNo Comments

Meghalaya

KSU: Railway projects in state a closed chapter

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Wednesday asked the state government to close the chapter on introducing railways in the state. “Our stand is very clear. The state and central governments should close the chapter on railways. Implement the inner-line permit (ILP) first and then we will discuss,” KSU president Lambokstar Marngar said. After the Centre issued a “have it or leave it” ultimatum to the state government, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma met the Minister for Railways and warned that Meghalaya would lose Rs 200 crore given for land acquisition if the railway projects could not be implemented. “Without ILP, without any mechanism (to check infiltration), we won’t talk about railways. Not even goods train. We need a mechanism, not railway tracks. Let the government of India impl...

Assam Rifles assures cooporation after escort convoy kills milkman in Meghalaya

13Feb

By editorNo Comments

Meghalaya

Assam Rifles assures cooporation after escort convoy kills milkman in Meghalaya

Assam Rifles on Wednesday said it will cooperate with the police investigation into the death of an elderly milkman under the wheels of a vehicle of the force in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district a day ago. District Superintendent of Police Vivek Singh said the vehicle concerned was seized and a case has been registered in this connection. The 93-year-old milkman, Jonga Bahadur, was crossing the road at Nongpoh town when he was run over by a vehicle of an Assam Rifles convoy on Tuesday.The victim was taken by the personnel in the convoy to Nongpoh Civil Hospital and then to the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences where he succumbed to his injuries.

Mobile app to revolutionize domestic worker employment launched at NEHU

12Feb

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Mobile app to revolutionize domestic worker employment launched at NEHU

A mobile application aimed at transforming domestic worker employment was launched on Tuesday at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU). The app, named “Maidful,” operates in both Khasi and English, providing a platform to connect domestic workers and employers while addressing concerns over job security and fair wages. Developed collaboratively by NEHU’s Department of Nanotechnology and IIT Bhilai under an IBITF-funded project, the app emphasizes transparency through profile verification for both employers and workers. This initiative is expected to improve safety and streamline the hiring process. “Maidful is a beacon of hope, dignity, and empowerment,” said Shri Longshai Nongkhlaw, Rangbah Shnong of Mawkynroh, during the launch. Principal Investigator Davidson Pyngrope highlighted tha...

Meghalaya: Confusion in Land Acquisition for Highway Widening Project in Rongjeng

12Feb

By editorNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya: Confusion in Land Acquisition for Highway Widening Project in Rongjeng

The ongoing land acquisition for the highway widening project in East Garo Hills has led to increasing confusion and anxiety among landowners, as concerns over fair compensation and transparency continue to mount. Initially, many villagers refused to sign the consent forms, citing dissatisfaction with the compensation offered. However, some have now visited the revenue office in Williamnagar to sign the documents amid rumors that the government may proceed with the acquisition without providing compensation if they do not comply. A commercial property S N Sangma, who operates the only a grocery store that serves as her livelihood, was privately shown an offer of approximately Rs. 8 lakh at the revenue office. However, she was not given any written confirmation or offer letter, nor was she...

Woman from Meghalaya’s Ri Bhoi bags Shark Tank deal

12Feb

By editorNo Comments

Meghalaya

Woman from Meghalaya’s Ri Bhoi bags Shark Tank deal

On Tuesday's Shark Tank India episode, Namita Thapar, Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, declared, "There is nothing that women cannot do in this country." This came after she gave Iaishah Rymbai of Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya, a cheque for Rs 20 lakh as opposed to 12% equity, and her daughter, Eri Weave, to introduce her business. BIaishah, a school teacher and handloom weaver, founded Eri Weave in 2019. The idea took root in 2018 when a scarf order was delayed because of yarn scarcity. This challenge led her to explore local spinning and weaving techniques. Her efforts were later recognized at the National Handloom Day 2022 at Umden Diwon Eri Silk Village. Today, Eri Weave supports around 100 women and has impacted several families in the community. Eri Weave produces Eri Silk, ...

Meghalaya: Milkman hit by AR escort vehicle, dies

12Feb

By editorNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya: Milkman hit by AR escort vehicle, dies

A 69-year-old milkman lost his life after being hit by an escort vehicle of the Assam Rifles convoy near the Deputy Commissioner’s junction on National Highway 6 in Nongpoh on Tuesday morning. According to police reports, the accident occurred at around 10:20 am when an Assam Rifles convoy was travelling from Shillong to Guwahati. The victim, identified as Jonga Bahadur Sunar from Shangbangla village, suddenly attempted to cross the road after two convoy vehicles had passed. He was struck by the third vehicle, a Mahindra Thar (ML05 Y 3232), driven by Sreekanth SS from the DGR Secretariat in Laitkor, East Khasi Hills. Following the collision, the victim was immediately taken to Nongpoh Civil Hospital for emergency treatment. Due to the seriousness of his injuries, Sunar was later ...