Meghalaya

The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on March 31 announced Batskhem Myrboh as its candidate for the upcoming by-election to the Shillong Lok Sabha constituency. The decision was taken by the party’s State Executive Committee, according to party leaders. The bypoll has been necessitated following the death of sitting MP Ricky AJ Syngkon on February 19, though the Election Commission is yet to formally announce the poll schedule. The VPP has urged its members and supporters to work collectively to ensure a decisive victory for Myrboh in the by-election. This comes after Meghalaya Member of Parliament Dr. Ricky Andrew J Syngkon passed away on February 19 after collapsing while playing football with friends in Mawlai Mawiong. According to sources, Syngkon (54) was participating in a frie...

The Meghalaya Tourism Department has refuted misinformation circulating on social media regarding the Taj Umiam Resort and Spa project, labeling concerns about environmental unsustainability as unfounded. The project encompasses 66 acres, including 36.10 acres on Lumpondeng Island and 29.64 acres at the Orchid Lake Resort, designed to foster high-value, low-impact tourism while ensuring ecological integrity. Umiam Hotels Pvt. Ltd., the project's Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), has secured a Consent to Establish (CTE) and entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) for the resort's operations. IHCL adheres to rigorous standards of sustainability and has a robust record in responsible tourism, having been part of the EarthCheck Certified Program sinc...

The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has officially nominated Batskhem Myrboh, a senior party leader and academician, as its candidate for the upcoming by-election in the Shillong Lok Sabha constituency. This decision was made by the VPP's State Executive Committee following the vacancy created by the death of the previous MP, Ricky AJ Syngkon, on February 19, with a bypoll yet to be announced by the Election Commission. Dr. Londoner Murphy Sohtun, the party spokesperson, emphasized that this decision followed extensive discussions and consultations among party leaders, highlighting Myrboh's commitment to VPP's values, leadership qualities, and dedication to public welfare. The VPP is also rallying its organizational base, framing this candidature as a collective endeavor to secure a stron...

Meghalaya has received ₹49.2 crore from the Centre under the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) grants, aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and improving basic civic services across rural and autonomous council areas. The Union Government has sanctioned and released the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) Tied and Untied Grants during FY 2025–26 for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)/Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in Telangana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Mizoram & Meghalaya. These grants will further empower grassroots governance and enable need-based local development in PRIs. According to an official release, the state has been allocated ₹27 crore as the second instalment of untied grants, which will be utilised by the three Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)—Kh...

A major controversy has erupted over the proposed luxury hospitality project at Umiam Lake, with Meghalaya Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira reportedly claiming he was unaware of the full scope of the agreement. The revelation came following a meeting on Monday between the minister and the Green-Tech Foundation (GTF), an environmental advocacy group spearheading the opposition against the project. The 66-acre development project, recently entrusted to the Tata Group’s Indian Hotel Co Ltd (IHCL), has faced intense scrutiny from environmentalists. The agreement involves the development of the 36-acre Lumpondeng Island and the redevelopment of the 30-acre Orchid Lake Resort on the water’s edge. IHCL, which operates global brands like Taj and Vivanta, is slated to transform these sites int...

In a bid to improve learning outcomes and prepare students for competitive exams, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday launched Project ASPIRE (Accelerating Student Potential through Interactive & Remote Education). The Rs 1.57-crore initiative supported by NITI Aayog targets gaps in access to quality teaching, career guidance and coaching facilities, particularly in districts such as Ri-Bhoi. Project ASPIRE, to be implemented in collaboration with FILO Edtech, is structured as a two-module digital learning system offering app-based academic and career support for both school students and job aspirants. For students of Classes 9 to 12, the platform provides preparation for board examinations and competitive tests such as NEET, JEE and CLAT. It includes 24×7 live academic sup...

Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, today, inaugurated several projects at Umsning Football Ground, Patarim for the Ri Bhoi district that included Ri Bhoi Silk Dream: E-Rise (a project for Eri Rearing, Innovation, Spinning and Empowerment), laying of foundation for Umsning Mini Stadium, launch of Project E-RISE and distribution of assets and launch of Project Aspire- FILO app based coaching. Also present were Minister, Community & Rural Development, Sosthenes Sohtun, MLA, Umsning, Dr C Lyngdoh and MLA, Nongpoh, Mayralborn Syiem besides officials from the district administration. Delivering his speech, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, recollecting the interaction that he had with the people of Umsning in the month of November 2025 said that the program of the day is the outcome that inter...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated multiple development projects at Umsning Football Ground, Patarim on Monday, focusing on growth in the Ri Bhoi district. Key initiatives included the Ri Bhoi Silk Dream: E-Rise, aimed at enhancing Eri rearing, innovation, spinning, and empowerment, along with the foundation laying for Umsning Mini Stadium and the distribution of assets under Project Aspire-FILO app-based coaching. During his speech, Sangma reflected on his interaction with the residents of Umsning in November 2025, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in driving governmental change and development. He highlighted a successful training program in fisheries that resulted from a local suggestion, benefiting over 1600 fish farmers. In terms of support f...

The Nangrimingin A·chik Dol (NAD) has expressed significant concerns over escalating tensions in the Garo Hills, citing provocations, illegal infiltration, and injustices faced by indigenous communities. The organization has made several demands to the government, including a comprehensive investigation into illegal infiltration, particularly regarding the recovery of ammunition and camouflage items from a mosque in Williamnagar, action against illegal settlers on tribal land, and enhanced border security to prevent further infiltrations. NAD spokesperson Francis Marak acknowledged community support for their protests but noted cooperation issues that have strained relations, especially between Garos and Muslims. He raised doubts regarding police claims about the origin of the reco...

Amid alarming levels of industrial pollution, the Meghalaya government has imposed strict restrictions on the establishment and expansion of coke oven plants in East Jaintia Hills district. The Forest and Environment Department has issued a notification prohibiting new coke oven plants and restricting the expansion of existing units within the Soo Kilo and Umtyra industrial clusters, including a 10-kilometre buffer zone around them. The prohibitory order is based on a detailed environmental study by Enviro Infra Solutions Pvt Ltd, which highlighted significant emissions of air pollutants in the area. The findings were subsequently reviewed by an Expert Technical Committee and the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB). The assessment indicated that the clusters are approaching...