Meghalaya

East Jaintia Hills MLAs Santa Mary Shylla and Kyrmen Shylla have briefed members of the Jaiñtia Coal Miner and Dealer Association (JCMDA) and residents of the Jaiñtia Hills on the outcome of recent discussions between the Centre and the Meghalaya Government regarding the future of coal mining in the region. Addressing a public meeting, Santa Mary Shylla described the recent meeting between Union Minister for Mines and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma in New Delhi as productive. She said the Union Minister had directed the formation of a state-level committee comprising government officials and representatives of coal mine operators to examine the scientific mining process and conduct field inspections. She added that the Centre has also sought a detailed report from the state ...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Saturday chaired a review meeting with the Deputy Commissioners on the monsoon situation across the state.Continuous rain has caused landslides and localised flooding in parts of the Garo Hills and Khasi Hills. "I have directed the administration to remain on high alert as rain is forecast to continue, to work in close coordination with the block-level response teams and the line departments, to restore affected road connectivity on priority, and to ensure relief reaches every affected family without delay," he said.Sangma said that due to the alertness and hard work of field teams, no life has been lost in the current spell, and he was grateful to every officer and worker responding on the ground."I appeal to all citizens to stay safe: pleas...

The Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, who also serves as Chairperson of the District Highway Safety Task Force, has directed that all commercial structures illegally set up within the National Highway right of way between 3rd Mile and 7th Mile in Upper Shillong be dismantled by July 15. The order, issued on June 30, gives operators 15 days to voluntarily remove the structures, failing which authorities from the Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Highways and InfrastructureDevelopment Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) will carry out the demolition. According to the order, the affected structures have been erected within the National Highway "right of way"-the land legally reserved for the construction, operation, maintenance and future expansion of the highway. This ...

The remarkable journey of one of the country's finest pineapples took centre stage in the national capital today as the 4th Meghalaya Pineapple Festival was inaugurated at Dilli Haat, New Delhi. More than a celebration of a fruit, the festival has evolved into Meghalaya's flagship platform for connecting farmers directly with organised retail, exporters, food processors, institutional buyers and consumers, while successfully positioning its world-renowned pineapples into domestic and international markets. The festival was inaugurated by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Hon'ble Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Communications, in the presence of Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, senior government officials, industry leaders, retailers,...

In a significant decision, the Meghalaya government is set to implement what is effectively a virtual Inner Line Permit (ILP) system for tourists and visitors entering the state. The new compulsory registration mechanism will require verification of antecedents, intentions and proper documentation of all outsiders, similar to the ILP regime followed in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira said the registration process will function almost like an ILP. He said the registration process will be rolled out through dedicated centres across the state, beginning with Umling in Ri-Bhoi. The minister explained that the move is intended to keep proper records of visitors, especially as large numbers of people visit the state. Similar tourist r...

With nearly one and half year left for the next Meghalaya Assembly elections, the BJP appears to be signalling a shift in strategy—from being a junior coalition partner to emerging as an independent political force in the state. The latest trigger for political speculation was the presence of former UDP leader and ex-MLA Jemino Mawthoh at a BJP programme commemorating the 125th birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Mawthoh not only attended the event but also addressed party workers, fuelling rumours that he could soon join the saffron party.While there has been no official confirmation, senior BJP leaders privately indicate that his induction is only a matter of time. The development comes amid other signs that the BJP is working to strengthen its footprint in Meghalaya. Ass...

Calling out the alleged prolonged inaction, the Hynniewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) has strongly criticised the Meghalaya government and the office of the Defence Estate Officer for what it described as their continued failure to act against the alleged illegal occupation of land in the Lum Survey area, claiming that the locality has become a hub of illegal settlements, drug-related activities and other criminal elements. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the HYC alleged that the authorities have repeatedly cited pending court proceedings as the reason for not initiating eviction drives. However, the organisation maintained that the explanation is “misleading and unacceptable,” asserting that the litigation concerns only three individuals claiming rights over a specific portion of the la...

The Meghalaya Cabinet on July 9 approved amendments to the lease agreement for Orchid Resort at Mawkasiang in New Shillong, clearing the way for the property to be upgraded into a five-star resort as part of the state's efforts to strengthen tourism infrastructure. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the revised lease terms have been aligned with the state's policy for similar tourism projects. Under the new agreement, the developer will make a one-time deposit of Rs 5 crore and contribute four per cent of the annual turnover to the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). According to the Chief Minister, the decision is expected to encourage private investment, improve tourism infrastructure and generate employment while contributing to the state's economic growth. The ...

The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved the establishment of St. Xavier’s University in the state and sanctioned the allotment of 50 acres of land at Mawkhanu at a concessional rate to facilitate the project. Announcing the decision on July 8, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the move reaffirms the government's commitment to strengthening higher education in the state. According to the Chief Minister, the Cabinet approved the land allotment after detailed discussions with the university authorities. The land will be provided at a concessional rate of around ₹1 lakh per hectare. Calling the initiative "an investment in the future of our youth", Sangma said St. Xavier’s is a premier institution with a long-standing legacy of academic excellence. He added that the university's est...