Meghalaya

Meghalaya recently hosted a significant gathering, the Himalayan Agro Ecology Initiatives: Meghalaya Stakeholders Meeting, at CPGSAS, Umiam. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, experts, researchers, farmer groups, and NGOs, to discuss sustainable agricultural development in the Northeastern region. The meeting commenced with an inaugural function led by Dr. S. V. Ngachan, Senior Consultant, Meghalaya. Dr. Anupam Mishra, Vice Chancellor of Central Agricultural University, Imphal, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the challenges and strategies for the Himalayan agro-ecosystem. Other notable guests included Dr. Malavika Dadlani, National Consultant, who highlighted the role of agro-ecology in preserving biodiversity and prom...

The Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) has unveiled its squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, featuring a blend of seasoned players and promising newcomers. The team, which recently advanced to the Elite Group after a stellar performance in the Plate Group, is gearing up for its first two matches of the season. Meghalaya will face Services in an away match from October 11 to 14, followed by a home game against Tripura in Shillong from October 18 to 21. The squad comprises 12 domicile players, with three spots reserved for guest professionals, and five players listed as standbys. New inclusions like Arpit Bhatewara and Roshan Warbah join familiar faces such as Kishan Lyngdoh, Dippu Sangma, and Akash Kumar Choudhary, bringing fresh energy to the lineup. The team will be le...

The Meghalaya SSA Schools Association (MSSASA) is set to make a crucial decision on the state government's proposal to enhance salaries for over 12,000 SSA teachers. The decision will be finalized at a general executive council meeting scheduled for September 21. MSSASA President Aristotle C Rymbai announced that the meeting will determine the association's stance on the proposed salary increase. Rymbai also revealed that he met with Swapnil Tembe, the SSA state project director, earlier this week. Tembe indicated that the education department has temporarily postponed the salary enhancement proposal and plans to present the matter to the Cabinet. In a related development, Tembe had previously urged non-teaching staff to end their 15-day sit-in demonstration and resume their duties....

A planned cow protection rally in Shillong, set for October 2, has sparked widespread opposition, with local groups pushing back against what they perceive as cultural imposition. The rally, titled "Gau Dhwaj," aims to declare the cow as the "Mother of the Nation" through a flag-raising ceremony led by Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarandah. Organisers describe the event as part of a nationwide campaign to elevate the cow's status and seek constitutional changes for its protection, citing its spiritual importance in Hinduism. However, the initiative has faced strong criticism from local groups, including the Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR). TUR leader Angela Rangad condemned the rally, calling it a "Hindu majoritarian communal attack" on Meghalaya’s secular and pluralistic culture. Rangad highl...

In a two-month drive against the use of tinted glasses, the Meghalaya government has fined 1,788 vehicles, collecting Rs 13.35 lakh in penalties by the first week of September. The crackdown, initiated in July, was conducted in line with Supreme Court directives. Speaking to reporters, East Khasi Hills district police chief Sylvester Nongtnger said the Shillong Traffic Police (STP) has been conducting regular checks to remove black films from vehicles. Of the 1,788 vehicles caught violating the rule, 30 were government vehicles. As per the Supreme Court's ruling, black films with any percentage of Visual Light Transmission (VLT) are prohibited on vehicle windscreens and side glasses. The STP has assured that the campaign will continue, urging vehicle owners to comply with the law. N...

On September 2, Meghalaya hosted a pivotal tourism summit aimed at enhancing travel and tourism across the Northeast and Eastern states of India. The conference, chaired by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, brought together tourism ministers and representatives from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The summit, the third in a series of regional consultations, focused on collaborative efforts to develop world-class tourism destinations and improve the overall travel experience. Minister Shekhawat highlighted ambitious plans under the Swadesh Darshan scheme and discussed the revamped Swadesh Darshan 2.0, which emphasizes sustainable tourism across 57 destinations. He also noted the success of the PRASAD scheme in developing pilgrimage sites, with 46 projects...

Meghalaya has emerged as the state with the fourth highest Outstanding Liabilities to Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) ratio in India, according to the latest audit report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023. Among the Northeastern and Himalayan states, Meghalaya ranks third, signaling a growing debt burden. The CAG report highlights the mounting financial liabilities on the state's Consolidated Fund, which include market loans, borrowings from financial institutions, and advances from the Government of India (GoI). Public debt for the year 2022-23 stood at a staggering ₹14,637.12 crore, comprising ₹11,285.50 crore in market loans, ₹1,349.04 crore in institutional loans, and ₹2,002.58 crore from the GoI. The report points out a s...