Meghalaya

A plantation programme was organised at Asnagre in South West Garo Hills on Friday as part of the observance of World Environment Day 2026 under the MegARISE Project - Protection of Vulnerable Catchment Areas in Meghalaya, supported by KfW Development Bank. The programme brought together government officials, community members, village representatives and project stakeholders to promote environmental conservation, enhance green cover and raise awareness on the importance of protecting vulnerable catchment areas for sustainable water resource management and ecological balance. Addressing the gathering, South West Garo HillsDeputy Commissioner, Kumari Anendya Raajshree, IAS, highlighted the significance of World Environment Day as a global platform for collective action towards enviro...

The Centre is “very seriously” examining the demand for inclusion of Khasi among many other languages in the Eighth Schedule, Union Home Minister Amit Shah told a delegation of Khasi Authors Society (KAS) on Thursday. The KAS representatives led by its president Dr DRL Nonglait, who is also the NPP candidate for Shillong Lok Sabha bye-election, met Shah during the latter’s visit to Shillong to attend the NEC Plenary. The KAS reminded the Home Minister of its sustained push for recognition of Khasi. “We reminded him that we submitted our first memorandum in January 2021 and met him here in Shillong in July 2021,” Dr Nonglait said. Speaking about the KAS’s briefing to the Home Minister on recent developments at state level, he said, “We informed him that Khasi has been made one ...

The state government has pressed for increase of strength of the three Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma submitting a memorandum to visiting Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday. In the memorandum, Sangma urged the Home Minister to ensure that Meghalaya’s recommendations are incorporated in the Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019, which proposes to increase the strength of the three ADCs. Sangma said the state government had “comprehensively examined” the Bill and finalised its position after “extensive consultations with various stakeholders” and several meetings with the ADCs. “The Government of Meghalaya urges upon the Government of India to incorporate its views in The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Amendment) Bill,...

The Meghalaya government will raise its long-pending demands for the Inner Line Permit and inclusion of Khasi and Garo in the Eighth Schedule with Union Home Minister Amit Shah if an opportunity arises during his visit, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said Wednesday. Tynsong said the immediate agenda is the North Eastern Council meeting, but the state remains committed to pursuing the issues. “The plenary session tomorrow is about the NEC, so let’s keep that aside,” he said, referring to the 73rd NEC Plenary scheduled for June 3-5 in Shillong. “On pursuing pending issues, from the government side, yes, for sure. If we get the opportunity to meet the Home Minister, we will certainly apprise him and discuss the pending issue of ILP and the Eighth Schedule languages,” Tynsong...

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday felicitated toppers of the recently declared Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC)examinations, praising their “hard work, discipline, and perseverance.” Posting on X after the felicitation programme, the Chief Minister said the students had brought pride to their families, schools, and the state. “Glad to felicitate toppers from the Arts, Science and Commerce streams of the recently conducted State HSSLC examinations. Their hard work, discipline, and perseverance have truly paid off, and they have made their families, schools, and our State proud,” Sangma said. He also extended his congratulations to the students and encouraged them to aim higher.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the 73rd plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong on June 4, with discussions set to focus on key sectors including tourism, agriculture, horticulture, investment promotion and regional connectivity. Ahead of the plenary, a pre-session meeting on June 3 reviewed flagship initiatives such as bamboo and agarwood development, the Ashtalakshmi Darshan project and other programmes aimed at accelerating growth across the Northeast. According to an official statement, the plenary will assess progress made by Chief Minister-led high-level task forces constituted to drive development in critical sectors across the region. Presentations are scheduled on tourism, agriculture and horticulture, investment promotion, self-reliance ...

Meghalaya government has intensified efforts to contain the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) and imposed restrictions on pig transportation and trade in affected districts, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Wednesday.Sangma said the outbreak was being closely monitored and immediate measures had been put in place to prevent the disease from spreading further."This has been a problem in the past also. We are monitoring the situation and taking immediate action. The department is taking measures to ensure that ASF doesn't spread on a large scale," he told reporters.The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Government of Meghalaya, has issued a notification following the confirmation of ASF outbreaks in several villages across the State. The notification has been issued in e...

The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance-II (MDA-II) on Wednesday unanimously endorsed National People's Party (NPP) leader James PK Sangma as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha election scheduled for June 18 after coalition partners agreed to follow the convention of backing the nominee of the alliance's largest constituent. The decision was taken during a meeting of leaders of the parliamentary parties of all MDA-II constituents chaired by Chief Minister and alliance leader Conrad K Sangma. Announcing the decision, MDA-Il parliamentary party secretary and West Shillong MLA Paul Lyngdoh said member parties had initially proposed different names from their respective political organisations for consideration. However, as no consensus emerged around a single candidate, the alliance resolv...

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said the state government is monitoring the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak and taking immediate action to contain it, while noting that the disease has been a recurring issue in Meghalaya. “Basically, it has been a problem in the past also and we are monitoring the situation and we are taking immediate action on it,” Sangma told reporters. Acknowledging concerns over the outbreak, the Chief Minister said such situations arise from time to time but assured that preventive measures are in place. “There are concerns of course and these concerns keep on happening from time to time but the department is taking all possible measures and steps to ensure that this does not spread into large scale,” he said. Sangma added that only a few c...

Rumours of a fuel and LPG shortage in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills prompted the district administration to issue a public advisory on June 2, assuring residents that supplies remain available and distribution is being closely monitored. The Office of the Deputy Commissioner (Supply), East Khasi Hills, said reports circulating on social media about an alleged shortage of petrol, diesel and LPG, as well as claims of price increases, were false and unverified. According to the administration, steps are being taken to ensure the uninterrupted availability and distribution of fuel and cooking gas across the district. Authorities urged residents not to engage in panic buying or hoarding, warning that such actions could disrupt normal supply chains. The administration also appealed to t...