Meghalaya

Marking World Tourism Day 2026, the Meghalaya government has outlined an ambitious roadmap to transform the state's tourism sector through a community-led, climate-resilient and technology-driven model aimed at ensuring sustainable growth and year-round visitor engagement. Tourism has emerged as a key driver of Meghalaya's economy, with tourism-linked livelihoods rising from around 50,000 in 2022 to more than 75,000 in 2025. Tourist arrivals also touched nearly 18.55 lakh in 2025, reflecting the growing appeal of the northeastern state as a travel destination. Backed by investments in over 150 tourism-related projects, Meghalaya is shifting its focus from high tourist volumes to a high-value, low-volume model. The Tourism Policy 2023 prioritises sustainable growth through carrying-c...

Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma is currently examining the documents submitted by the eight United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators who recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Assembly Adviser Andrew Simons said on Friday. According to Simons, all necessary documents related to the merger have been submitted to the Speaker for scrutiny. He said UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh and legislature party leader Sanbor Shullai have formally informed the Speaker about the merger with the BJP through a written communication. “We are treating this as a merger with the BJP. All required documents have been submitted and will now be examined before the Speaker issues an order,” Simons said. Addressing questions over Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem, who was not present during...

The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly is set to examine the merger documentation submitted by eight former United Democratic Party (UDP) MLAs who recently transitioned to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), marking a significant political shift in the state's legislative landscape. In the absence of Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma, who is currently traveling abroad, the official merger letters and supporting documents were formally handed over to Andrew Simons, the Adviser for Legislation to the Assembly, during a delegation visit accompanied by key BJP leaders including state president Rikman G Momin and South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai. Seven of the eight lawmakers were personally present for the submission, while Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem was absent, though his papers were duly submitt...

World Pharmacists Day 2026, organised by Meghalaya Pharmacy Council and World Pharmacists Day Celebration Committee, was observed on Friday at Bharat Scouts and Guides Hall, Shillong.Speaking at the programme as chief guest, Meghalaya Cabinet Minister Sanbor Shullai requested the pharmacists to share their suggestions regarding the eradication of substance abuse from society.He appealed for peace and harmony in the state, in view of the recent law and order situation in the state.Stating that as per statistics available with the government, there are 83,000 youths who are working in other parts of the country.The Minister emphasised that their safety should also be taken into consideration.

Responding to the Congress protest against the Election Commission, BJP MLA Sanbor Shullai dismissed the allegations raised by the opposition party, describing them as baseless. Shullai said he would not comment on the specific allegations made by the Congress but questioned the opposition party’s approach to the functioning of the government. “I cannot comment anything regarding all these things. But the Congress, since they are, you see, this is the role of opposition. The role of opposition is to oppose only,” Shullai said. He alleged that the Congress was opposing the BJP even as the government was implementing various schemes and development programmes for the people. According to Shullai, the allegations against the Election Commission were not supported by facts. “That ...

Hundreds of residents from the disputed Langpih sector have overwhelmingly resolved to remain part of Meghalaya, firmly refuting recent claims by an Assam news channel alleging that 95 percent of the local population preferred merging with Assam following a border settlement. The unanimous resolution was passed during a public meeting held at Umthli village within the Hima Nongmynsaw Syiemship, presided over by Theodas Marak, Chairman of the Association of Village Headmen for the Umthli Area. Attended by community members across more than fourteen villages—including Mawdiangkob, Talimara, Umdiangsiar, Umdiangphiang, Umthli, Umkhamdol, Dariphang, Umbah, Ukiam, Borkhuli, Hasem, Warigro, and Doledonga—and observed by the Executive Durbar of the Hima Nongmynsaw Syiemship, the assembly declare...

In a major political twist in Meghalaya, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has suspended three of its MLAs — Kyrmen Shylla, Ollan Singh Suin and Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah — after they allegedly announced their decision to join another political party. The action came on the same day the three legislators were among eight UDP MLAs who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), triggering a major shift in the political equations in the state. Addressing the media, UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh said the party had issued show-cause notices to the three legislators and given them time to appear before the State Parliamentary Board or submit their responses in writing. However, he said none of the three members responded to the notices.“So, the party, with one voice, have taken a decision...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma affirmed that the decision of eight United Democratic Party (UDP) MLAs to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remains an internal matter between the two political entities and will not destabilize the functioning of the ruling coalition government. Speaking to media persons in Shillong, Sangma clarified that the move was entirely driven by the personal desires of the individual legislators and carries no direct bearing on the ruling National People's Party (NPP). Because both the UDP and the BJP already serve as key constituents within the governing Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, the overall mathematical strength supporting the ruling coalition remains completely intact despite the sudden shift in floor numbers. Sangma expressed total confidence...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on September 23 inaugurated the second phase of the Shillong Technology Park at New Shillong Township in Umsawli, developed at a cost of Rs 121 crore. The second phase has around 1.8 lakh square feet of technology space, with the Chief Minister saying its near-full occupancy even before the inauguration reflected growing demand for Grade-A technology infrastructure in Shillong. Sangma said the presence of Meghalaya-based companies alongside multinational firms showed that the technology park was enabling local businesses to cater to international clients. "This is real. The signing of the agreement is real. The jobs we are creating are real. We don't want big stories and big MoUs. We will do a few things but do them well," he said. The ...

Eight legislators from Meghalaya’s United Democratic Party (UDP) joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi on Wednesday, September 23 in a political development that strengthens the BJP’s presence in the northeastern state. Welcoming the legislators into the BJP, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the eight MLAs had been impressed by the development work undertaken in the Northeast under Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led governments over the past 12 years. “We welcome eight elected members of the assembly, MLAs of Meghalaya, into the BJP family. They earlier belonged to UDP, a very prominent regional party,” Rijiju said at a press conference. He said the legislators had been influenced by what he described as the transformation of the Northeast under the...