Meghalaya

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma on Friday observed National Handloom Day, marking the culmination of the 12th National Handloom Week at the Integrated Textile Tourism Complex at Ri Sai, Nongpoh. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders for their support and participation in the programme. He stated that the textile designs on display, Dakmanda, Dharashat, Mukhli, and Thoseru —are not merely fabrics or attire, but representations of the identity of the diverse communities of the State. He added that for the Government, supporting weavers is not only about livelihood generation but also an investment in culture and identity. “This is a celebration of Meghalaya and a message to the country and the world that we are proud o...

Minerva Academy FC founder Ranjit Bajaj has strongly commended Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for what he described as visionary leadership and active support for the state’s youth and local talent. Bajaj highlighted several initiatives of the Meghalaya government aimed at providing young people with opportunities and financial support. He particularly pointed to welfare measures for artists, including financial stipends, as well as block-level football leagues that provide ₹8,000 to participating local players. According to Bajaj, such direct government support can play an important role in keeping young people meaningfully engaged by giving them avenues to pursue their talents and aspirations. He said initiatives that provide structured opportunities for youth can als...

Rongrong Member of District Council (MDC) Rinaldo K Sangma has urged the Voice of the People Party (VPP) to avoid making statements that could spark communal division regarding the proposed electoral rolls for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). Reacting to remarks by VPP Garo Hills President KN Marak—who suggested that including non-Garo Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities in the GHADC voter list dilutes Garo rights and identity—Sangma emphasized that Sixth Schedule issues and tribal identity are sensitive topics requiring constitutional restraint. He noted that Khasi, Jaintia, and other ST communities living in the Garo Hills have historically participated in the GHADC electoral process, just as Garo residents take part in Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) ele...

Aspirants of Meghalaya Civil Service (MCS) will now have to an additional paper on the state of Meghalaya in the MCS examination. Informing about the decision taken in the cabinet on Thursday, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said an expert committee headed by Prof David Syiemlieh had recommended the addition to ensure officers understand the state better. “There is going to be an additional paper, paper number six, which will be specifically on the state of Meghalaya. The objective is that MCS officers must have knowledge of the state, including its history, its culture, its different systems and different economic aspects,” Sangma said. Official language bill Meanwhile, the cabinet decided to introduce a Bill to accord official language status to Khasi and Garo. The bill wi...

On today's 13th August 2026, The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC), Central Executive Committee, today submitted an urgent Memorandum to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, seeking immediate government intervention into the proposed 217.394-hectare Lum Syrman Limestone Project of M/s Shree Cement Limited in East Jaiñtia Hills. Led by its Central Executive Committee General Secretary Shri Wanshwa Suting, the JNC has placed before the State Government serious concerns over the rights of landholders and farmers of "Sutnga and Nongkhlieh Elakas", particularly those whose customary, possession, cultivation and user rights are connected with the Lum Syrman area. The organisation has demanded that these rights must be "protected and preserved before any further irreversible step is allowed ...

Meghalaya has launched a state-wide initiative aimed at improving preparation for national-level competitive examinations, with the government announcing financial support for seven candidates from the state who cleared the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination this year. The initiative, Ascent 2026, was organised by the Meghalaya Administrative Training Institute (MATI) at Mawdiangdiang in Shillong on August 12. The programme brought together civil service aspirants, administrators, educators, parents and experts to discuss ways to strengthen Meghalaya's performance in examinations such as the UPSC, JEE and NEET. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma distributed CM-INSPIRE incentive cheques of Rs 50,000 each to seven UPSC Preliminary Examination qualifiers. Under the scheme, candida...

In a first for Meghalaya, citizens and tourists will soon be able to book cabs through an app being developed by the Tourism Department. The proposed Meghalaya Tourism Taxi Booking App aims to make tourist transport safer, more transparent and easier to access. Its Phase-I rollout will cover around 200 Prime Vehicle beneficiaries and other eligible tourist taxi operators, focusing primarily on long-distance services. The platform will connect tourists directly with registered tourist taxi operators, hotels, resorts and tour operators, with GPS-enabled operations and OTP-based verification. Notably, the Tourism Department will not charge any commission; the booking arrangement will remain directly between the customer and the driver. Commissioner and Secretary of Tourism R.M. Kurb...

Two young men were killed and eight others injured after lightning struck a football match in Mawsnaphvir village of Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills district on Tuesday afternoon. According to police, the incident occurred at around 3 pm while a football tournament was underway in the village. The injured players were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. The deceased were identified as 18-year-old Mikson Khasiar and 19-year-old Cleverson Khasiar, both residents of Lawrapha village. The two, who were brothers, were reportedly playing for the Lawrapha team against Marskuin in a tournament being held under the banner of the Independence Cup. The lightning strike also left eight other people injured. They were taken to Civil Hospital in Nongstoin and St Joseph Hospital for medical ...

Meghalaya CM Launches Digital Learning Lab to Support UPSC Aspirants Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma attended Ascent 2026 at the Meghalaya Administrative Training Institute (MATI), a seminar aimed at strengthening the support system for UPSC and other competitive examination aspirants. During the event, Sangma distributed CM-Aspire financial assistance cheques to seven candidates who cleared the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. He said Meghalaya has no shortage of talented young people but needs stronger systems of guidance, training, mentorship and financial assistance to help them achieve their goals. The Chief Minister also inaugurated a Digital Learning Lab at MATI and interacted with students, aspirants, teachers and parents. Encouraging young aspirants to remain f...

The Meghalaya election authorities have identified 6,51,644 electors for further scrutiny as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, including 2,22,786 voters under the “No Mapping” category and 4,28,858 with discrepancies in their mapping with previous SIR records. The figures were reviewed by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Meghalaya, during a virtual meeting with Deputy Commissioners/District Election Officers, Sub-Divisional Officers, Electoral Registration Officers and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers on August 11. The draft electoral roll for all 60 Assembly constituencies was published on August 5. The period for filing claims and objections will continue until September 4, while the notice and hearing process and disposal of claims and ob...