Meghalaya

Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma today banned recording of videos on cellphones inside the House and posting these on social media by MLAs, citing that such activities breach the parliamentary decorum.The ruling came after opposition Voice of the People's Party chief Ardent Basaiawmoit on Tuesday uploaded a video clip showing him attending the Budget Session. Later, the legislator deleted the post."A member has taken a video of himself while participating in the proceedings inside the House. It was circulated on social media. This is a breach of parliamentary practices and decorum," the Speaker said.He also said it was "not in keeping with the spirit of the rules to be observed by members provided by Rule 275 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business"."I hereby inform th...

Meghalaya presented its growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in governance, climate action, and rural development at the India AI Impact Conference held at Bharat Mandapam. The state used the national platform to show how technology is being used in practical ways to improve public services and support sustainable growth. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma described the participation as an important moment for the state. He said it was a proud occasion to see Meghalaya actively contributing to one of the largest gatherings focused on artificial intelligence. According to him, the event gave the state an opportunity to demonstrate how AI can be used not only for technological development but also for solving everyday governance challenges. The Meghalaya Pavilion at the conference broug...

Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma adjourned the House for ten minutes on Wednesday after heated exchanges between ruling and opposition benches over the government’s decision to seek a protected/restricted area status for Meghalaya under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Pandemonium erupted as members clashed on the issue while the inner-line permit (ILP) demand awaits approval. “When the Chair is on its feet, please sit down,” the Speaker told members. When they refused, he announced: “I will adjourn the House for 10 minutes.” Opposition VPP legislator Ardent M Basaiawmoit accused the government of insincerity on ILP. “Why does the state want ILP? Because influx comes not only from foreigners but from outsiders… I would like a sincere reply whether the government is playing ...

The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly witnessed a heated exchange on the issue of Inner Line Permit (ILP), as Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma locked horns with Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma and VPP MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit. Replying to a question raised by Sohiong MLA Synsharkupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah, the Chief Minister informed the House that the state government is in talks with the Government of India to bring Meghalaya under the purview of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, while continuing to pursue the demand for ILP. The debate intensified when Dr Mukul questioned whether the government intended to abandon its pursuit of ILP to which the CM said it is easy talk on OLP without understanding the complexities associated with ILP As the Chief Minister responded, interruptions le...

The Garo National Council (GNC) has released the first list of seven candidates for the elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), slated to be held on April 10. The candidates include Augustine R Marak – Silkigre, Nikman Ch Marak – Rongrikimgre, Jakrak A Sangma – Amongpara, Deson Marak – Dengnakpara, Geobar B Marak – Asanang, Sengba D Sangma – Rongrong and Chibasai Lampard R Marak – Williamnagar. “The party is still opening its door for aspirant candidates to fill up in all remaining constituencies,” GNC vice president Henyshing A Sangma said in a statement issued on Friday.

Meghalaya has detected 658 illegal Bangladeshi nationals since 2021 and deported 194 after completion of their sentences, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told the Assembly on Tuesday while outlining the state's stepped-up anti-infiltration measures. He was replying to a call-attention notice moved by Voice of the People Party (VPP) legislator Heaving Stone Kharpran. Tynsong said the government has put in place a "comprehensive and multi-layered anti-infiltration mechanism" to tackle illegal migration across vulnerable stretches of the inter-state and Indo-Bangladesh border. Tynsong, who holds the Home (Police) portfolio, placed the figures on record and detailed the state’s enforcement strategy. He said the action was taken between 2021 and February 3, 2026, under relevant legal...

Meghalaya has detected a total of 628 nationals from Bangladesh over the past five years, out of whom 194 have been deported after completion of legal procedures, according to State Home Minister Prestone Tynsong. Replying to a query in the Assembly, the minister stated that the 628 Bangladeshi nationals were identified between 2021 and February this year. During the same period, 194 individuals were deported after serving their sentences and obtaining the required travel permits from the Bangladesh Embassy. The government said it has been working to curb illegal infiltration through a strengthened anti-infiltration mechanism. As part of this system, 18 anti-infiltration check posts, gates, and customs stations have been set up at strategic locations along inter-state and India–Ban...

Mukul M. Sangma, the Leader of Opposition in Meghalaya, has called for a government investigation into alleged benami transactions and illegal land occupations along the state's border with Assam, particularly in Ri-Bhoi district. He expressed concern over land being occupied under false names of tribals, undermining protective land laws intended to preserve indigenous ownership. Sangma highlighted the demographic, legal, and administrative implications of such practices and urged the government to investigate potential misuse of the Meghalaya Land Transfer Regulation Act. He recalled similar issues during his tenure as Chief Minister, emphasizing the importance of careful land governance in border areas and advocating for enhanced enforcement and accountability to protect tribal land rig...

The Meghalaya government on Tuesday announced that the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections would be held on April 10.The schedule for the GHADC election was approved by the State Cabinet in Shillong on Tuesday.Cabinet Minister Wailadmiki Shylla while talking to media persons informed that the date for calling constituents to elect representatives is March 9.“The last date for filing of nomination is March 16 before 3pm, while the scrutiny of nomination will take place on the same day after 3pm. The last date for withdrawal of nomination is March17 till 3 pm,” Shylla said.“The date for finalisation and publication of valid nomination and allotment of symbol is March 18. The election will be held on April 10 from 7 am to 4 pm while the counting of votes will take place ...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma informed the Assembly that the state has engaged 36 individual consultants and 59 consultancy firms to support key development programmed, with payments strictly linked to performance and deliverables.Responding to a query from VPP legislator Heaving Stone Kharpran, Sangma stated that the total annual expenditure on remuneration for individual consultants stands at ₹4.35 crore for 2024–25. He clarified that consultancy firms are not paid fixed salaries but receive fees based on contractual milestones. “If they fail to deliver, they will not get paid,” he asserted.The Chief Minister noted that 19 out of 36 individual consultants—around 52 per cent—are local professionals with expertise in management, agriculture and environmental sciences. He emphas...