Meghalaya

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has assured full support from the state government to the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) to help it carry out rule amendments and clear pending salaries of its employees. The assurance came after a meeting held in Shillong, where a delegation of Members of District Council (MDCs), led by Chief Executive Member (CEM) Thombor Shiwat, met the Chief Minister to discuss key issues affecting the council. During the meeting, the delegation raised concerns regarding the need to amend certain rules of the council to improve its functioning. They also highlighted the issue of unpaid salaries of council employees, which has been pending for some time and has affected the staff. Responding to these concerns, Sangma said the state governme...

The Meghalaya government admitted on Thursday that the “surplus” buffer for domestic LPG has evaporated, while a central supply cap has slashed commercial gas availability by 20 percent across the state. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Methodius Dkhar informed media persons that while there is currently no outright shortage of domestic LPG, the state no longer has the buffer it once had. “We used to have surplus availability during normal times, which is not the case now,” the minister said. Dkhar said that the distribution of domestic cylinders would be regulated to prevent panic and oversupply. The situation is more critical for the commercial sector with the minister confirming a 20 percent cap on supply imposed by the central ministry. This implies that the state is receiving sign...

Meghalaya will host the inaugural Indian Sailing League (ISL) from March 27 to 31 at the Orchid Water Sports Complex in Umiam Lake, marking a significant sailing event in India. The competition is set to attract 182 sailors from eight countries, highlighting the growing international interest in India's sailing circuit. Organized by the Umiam Sailing Club in collaboration with the state's tourism department and the United De Novo Association of Yachting (UDAY), the league will adopt a franchise-based format featuring 14 teams from various regions of India. Among the competing teams are the Shillong Umiam Navigators, Deccan Skippers, Goa Mariners, Chennai Sailing Knights, and Mumbai Meridians. The event will have 58 international sailors participating, thereby enhancing the competitive asp...

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has announced plans to set up a Film City as part of a broader push to build a film-making ecosystem in the state. He made the announcement while inaugurating the three-day Shillong International Film Festival at State Convention Centre here on Wednesday. Addressing the occasion, the Chief Minister positioned cinema as both a cultural and economic opportunity for Meghalaya, where a large young population is increasingly looking for non-traditional career avenues. “Our youth are immensely talented but lack platforms and an ecosystem to showcase their abilities,” he said, adding that filmmaking can generate jobs across sectors — from acting and direction to technical work, design, music and logistics. He said the proposed Film City is intended to anchor tha...

A high-level legislative committee has raised serious concerns regarding infrastructure deficiencies at the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in Pahamsyiem, Nongpoh. The findings follow a critical inspection on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, which aimed to assess the school’s readiness to operate at full capacity. The Committee on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly conducted the campus visit to review existing facilities and operational preparedness. The delegation was led by Committee Chairman and Nongstoin MLA Gabriel Wahlang, accompanied by members Ampareen Lyngdoh and Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem. During the visit, school officials briefed the panel on several early-stage challenges. A primary area of concern identified by the committee...

British rock band Def Leppard made their debut performance in India at Shillong, recognized as the "Rock Capital of India," on Wednesday evening. The concert attracted a diverse audience, ranging from long-time fans to younger attendees experiencing the band live for the first time, all contributing to an electrifying atmosphere in the hills of Shillong. The band later expressed their gratitude on social media, stating, "Thank you, Shillong, that was absolutely incredible. We will never forget our first time." Their energetic set included renowned hits such as "Hysteria," "Rock of Ages," "Photograph," and "Pour Some Sugar on Me," which incited enthusiastic participation from the crowd, creating a memorable night. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma praised the event on social media, re...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on March 25 inaugurated the first edition of the Shillong International Film Festival, asserting that the state is emerging as a hub of creativity and cinema. Describing the festival as a celebration of storytelling and artistic expression, Sangma said it offers a vital platform to showcase the talent of filmmakers and artists from Meghalaya and the wider Northeast region. He expressed satisfaction over the inclusion of international films in the inaugural edition, highlighting the festival’s global outlook.The Chief Minister noted that Meghalaya has long nurtured a deep appreciation for the arts, even when filmmakers and artists had limited institutional support. He said the government has taken several initiatives over the past eight years to ...

Meghalaya Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday announced that the State government is planning to set up a film city and a film institute as part of efforts to promote Meghalaya as a major filmmaking hub. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Shillong Film Festival at the State Convention Centre, he said the Cabinet has already approved the proposal for a film city and a suitable location has been identified. The Chief Minister said the aim is to build a strong ecosystem that will attract filmmakers and project Meghalaya as a leading destination for film and creative industries in the Northeast. Sangma added that the government is focusing not only on infrastructure but also on strengthening skills by providing technical training and professional support to local talent, including tho...

In a boost to youth employment in Meghalaya, IndiGo conducted a cabin crew recruitment drive in Shillong, selecting five candidates — including three Khasi women — from a pool of aspirants across the Northeast. The walk-in campus interview was held at the Don Bosco Youth Centre in Laitumkhrah in collaboration with the Emporium Skills Training Institute (ESTI). A total of 56 female candidates participated in the selection process. Following multiple rounds of screening, the selected candidates were identified as Deilana Shallam, Mahi Sah, Cassandra War, Silveris Mary Lyndem, and Ritika. Officials said the recruitment drive reflects increasing industry engagement with skill development institutions in the region. This marks the second such cabin crew hiring initiative hosted at the Don B...

The Meghalaya government has intensified its crackdown on the illegal disposal of construction waste, citing a severe threat to public health and the environment ahead of the monsoon. The District Administration of East Khasi Hills has invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to impose immediate restrictions on excavation and debris disposal. The move follows a surge in complaints regarding soil and stones from projects—including private housing, roads, schools, and dams—being dumped recklessly along roadsides and near vital water catchments. Officials warn that without designated dumping sites, this loose earth is frequently washed into rivers and rivulets during heavy rains. The consequences have already become visible. Authorities report that the conta...