Meghalaya

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union MoS for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav in New Delhi on Monday to discuss funding and health infrastructure for the state. Posting on X, Sangma said he had a very constructive meeting with Sitharaman. He raised two key issues: the cap on Externally Aided Projects for North Eastern states, and allowing states to retain exchange-rate gains from ongoing EAPs. “Grateful for her patient hearing, guidance, and continued support for Meghalaya and the North East,” he wrote. Later, the Chief Minister called on Prataprao Jadhav to discuss expanding the North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy in Shillong.\He said the expansion would help position Meghalaya as a regional hub for Ayush education, rese...

The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in Meghalaya on Monday, August 10, approved amendments to its election rules that will bar non-tribals from voting or contesting council elections and pave the way for a separate electoral roll for the Sixth Schedule body, officials said. The amendments to Rules 128 and 129 were approved by the council to establish a separate electoral roll specifically for GHADC elections, replacing the practice of using the electoral roll prepared for Assembly elections. The GHADC, established in 1952 under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, had for decades conducted its elections using the electoral roll prepared for Assembly polls, allowing people from different communities to participate in the council’s electoral process. Under the ame...

Amid tight security, hundreds of Hindu devotees on Sunday offered prayers at Mawjymbuin in Mawsynram, with the annual pilgrimage passing off peacefully and without any untoward incident. Nearly 200 devotees undertook a foot march from Mahadev Khola to Krem Mawjymbuin, setting off at around 3 am and trekking to the revered cave shrine in East Khasi Hills district. Several vehicles carrying devotees also travelled to Mawsynram to participate in the religious observance. The pilgrimage was conducted in compliance with the conditions laid down by the High Court of Meghalaya which had allowed Hindu devotees to perform puja at the site only by pouring water on the naturally formed stalagmite inside the cave. The court had barred devotees from carrying ritual items or conducting any ...

Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee on Monday organised a peaceful protest march in Shillong against the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), with party workers carrying Congress flags and placards as they marched from the Fire Brigade Ground to Don Bosco Square. The protest march, which began at around 11 am, was organised to oppose the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill, which the Congress claims could have serious implications for churches, educational institutions, NGOs and other organisations receiving foreign contributions. Addressing the gathering, Congress leader Vincent H. Pala thanked those who participated in the peace rally and said the BJP had issued a whip and was likely to bring the Bill before Parliament ahead of its scheduled recess on A...

Under the MPOWER Training of Master Trainers Programme, which is currently in year 2 of implementation, a six-day intensive training was successfully conducted from 3rd to 8th August 2026 at the Meghalaya Teacher Training Academy (MTTA), Malki, Shillong. The programme focused on strengthening the capacity of Master Trainers in the key thematic areas of Life Skills, Financial Literacy, Mental Health and Sexual and Reproductive Health, marking an important milestone in the implementation of the MPOWER programme and Meghalaya’s continued efforts to strengthen teacher professional development, promote holistic adolescent development, and enhance learning outcomes across the state. The training was supported by MTTA, which provided the necessary institutional support and training facilit...

Traditional institutions and leaders from Khasi Hills have urged the Meghalaya government to intervene against the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council’s (KHADC) proposed amendment to its land administration law, arguing that the move weakens the customary institutions responsible for community land governance. A delegation of the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SNSBH) and Synjuk Ki Rangbah Kur Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SRKBH) met Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who also holds the District Council Affairs portfolio, on August 7 and submitted a memorandum outlining their objections. The meeting followed discussions between representatives of traditional institutions and the Governor. The delegation said it was acting on the...

Meghalaya's renowned vocal ensemble KC Lights brought pride to India by winning two gold medals and a Special Jury Award at the 3rd Thailand International Choral Festival (Thai ICF) 2026, held at the Thailand Cultural Centre from August 3 to 7 in Bangkok. Led by Headmaster and Conductor Brian N. Wallang, the choir secured a gold medal in the Folksong Category with a score of 84.55 for their performances of Ka Jingwanphai and U Sier Lapalang, both arranged by Emmanuel Martin Marbaniang. The group also claimed a second gold medal in the Teenage Choir Category, scoring 85.80 with performances of Blue Moon and Enya's Orinoco Flow. In addition to the two gold medals, KC Lights received the Special Jury Award for Sincerity of Expression, recognising their emotionally powerful performan...

The Meghalaya Directorate of Tourism has opened online applications for the Tourist Buddy Scheme, an initiative aimed at creating employment for local youth across the Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi district. The last date to apply is August 14. Under the scheme, local youth will be engaged as the first point of contact for tourists, providing information on attractions, local culture and safety while assisting in the management of tourist destinations. They will also monitor basic infrastructure, including roads, parking, public toilets, waste management and drinking water facilities, besides maintaining visitor records and reporting issues to the Tourism Department. The initiative also focuses on visitor safety by ensuring the availability of life jackets, first-aid kit...

Thousands of supporters of the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) took to the streets of Shillong in a major protest against the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, alleging that public concerns and issues affecting indigenous communities have been ignored. The rally, attended by around 3,000 people, began from IGP and passed through areas near the Secretariat before moving towards the Deputy Commissioner’s office, where it concluded peacefully. A heavy security presence was maintained throughout the march. Addressing the gathering, VPP president and Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said the party was forced to organise the protest after repeatedly failing to get adequate opportunities to raise public issues in the Assembly. He said a responsible government...

Both Meghalaya and Assam are exploring ways to mitigate the flood problem at Jorabat along the inter-state border, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Thursday. The recurring flood at Jorabat, the biggest entry point to Meghalaya from Assam, has repeatedly disrupted normal life and traffic along the border during monsoon rains and it has been a matter of concern for both the state governments. Meghalaya government is studying every aspect of the floods in the area and exploring both immediate and long-term solutions in coordination with the Assam government, Sangma said. Pointing at the bowl-like topography in the area, he said, “There is a concern because of the bowl-like structure created due to the road construction. The level below the main flyover is quite deep, which lea...