Meghalaya

Meghalaya has engaged 36 individual consultants and 59 consultancy firms to support its development programmes, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told the Assembly on Tuesday, adding that payments are strictly linked to deliverables. “The total annual expenditure on monthly remuneration for individual consultants is Rs 4.35 crore for 2024-25,” Sangma said. He clarified that consultancy firms are not paid salaries but receive fees tied to contracted deliverables. “If they fail to deliver, they will not get paid.” Replying to a supplementary query from opposition VPP legislator from Mawryngkneng Heaving Stone Kharpran, the chief minister noted that 19 of the 36 individual consultants — about 52 percent — are local professionals with qualifications in management, agriculture and environmenta...

Illegal immigration took centre stage on the second day of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly's budget session, 2026, as Leader of the Opposition Mukul Sangma moved a strongly worded resolution urging the state government to act on a law that has been on the books for nearly a decade but remains largely unimplemented. At the heart of the resolution is the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016 — legislation designed to regulate the entry, exit and stay of people from outside the state. Despite the law providing a comprehensive legal framework, and the state having already identified land parcels for entry-exit points and facilitation centres along inter-state borders, the infrastructure needed to make it work has never been built. Sangma's resolution also took a poin...

The Achik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM), based in the Garo Hills, has voiced strong opposition to any review or potential weakening of the existing job quota policy in response to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma's announcement regarding the presentation of an updated reservation policy report during the current Assembly budget session. In a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister, AHAM insisted on maintaining the current reservation framework, emphasizing that any attempt to alter or dilute this policy would be regarded as a direct threat to the constitutional safeguards and the rights of marginalized and indigenous communities. The organization highlighted the significance of the job quota policy, stating that a rollback would betray tribal communities’ trust, reverse years ...

Meghalaya's Cabinet has approved the tabling of the State Reservation Policy Report in the state assembly on Wednesday, February 18, during the ongoing Budget Session, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced on Tuesday, February 17. The report, which carries significant implications for tribal communities across the state, outlines proposed changes to how jobs and seats are allocated among the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo communities, as well as scheduled tribes, scheduled castes, and open categories. At the heart of the report is a proposal to reserve 80 per cent of government job seats for scheduled tribes, with 40 per cent each allocated to the Khasi and Garo communities. Provisions for other ST/SC groups and unreserved categories are also included. The existing reservation framework d...

Meghalaya will hold elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) on April 10, with counting of votes scheduled for April 14, the state government announced on February 16. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. Cabinet minister Wailadmiki Shylla later confirmed the dates to reporters. The gazette notification for the polls will be issued on March 9. March 16 has been fixed as the last date for filing nominations. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place the same day after 3 pm, while candidates may withdraw their nominations until March 17. The final list of validly nominated candidates and the allotment of election symbols will be completed on March 18. GHADC is one of the three autonomous district councils in Meg...

Mukul Sangma, the Leader of Opposition in Meghalaya, has charged the NPP-led MDA government with enabling illegal coal mining through a "well-scripted modus operandi." This accusation follows the tragic death of 33 laborers in an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills on February 5. Sangma warns that illegal coal mining activities will persist as long as the current government remains in power, stating that the administration appears to follow a set strategy that emboldens violators. He highlighted concerns that despite repeated calls from NGOs, political parties, and the opposition regarding illegal coal mining, such activities have only escalated over the years. The recent disaster is portrayed as a consequence of the authorities' negligence regarding illegal mining practices, with San...

On February 5, a tragic explosion occurred at an illegal rat-hole coal mine in the Mynsyngat–Thangsko area, resulting in 33 fatalities and multiple injuries, as reported by East Jaintia Hills authorities. While most victims have been identified, one male victim, described as a non-tribal individual approximately 40 years old and five feet tall, remains unidentified and unclaimed. His body has undergone necessary legal procedures and is currently housed at the morgue of Khliehriat Civil Hospital. In light of the incident and ongoing issues with illegal mining activities, District Magistrate Manish Kumar of East Khasi Hills has initiated measures to combat such practices. He has tasked officials from the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) with supporting the Directorate of ...

The first ever two-day Mi-kari Festival 2026 organised by the South West Garo Hills district administration, was celebrated with great enthusiasm and vibrant community participation, reflecting the spirit of unity and collaboration at Ampati student’s field.The South West Garo Hills district administration organised the festival to promote indigenous culture, traditional games, local talent and community participation while providing a platform for artists, entrepreneurs and various stakeholders.The festival features a wide range of engaging events, including a flower show showcasing the creativity and dedication of local growers, indigenous games celebrating traditional heritage, and a Healthy Baby Show promoting child health and wellbeing.The Master Chef Ampati competition highlights lo...

The National People’s Party (NPP) on Monday released its first list of 24 candidates for the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), marking the beginning of the party’s formal preparations for the polls across the Garo Hills region. The list was announced through an official notification issued by NPP state president Prestone Tynsong after the party’s State Election Committee approved the names. The candidates announced in the first phase will contest from constituencies spread across West Garo Hills, South Garo Hills and North Garo Hills districts. Party leaders said the selection process was carried out after consultations with local units and senior party members to ensure representation from different areas. Among the candidates named in the fi...

Meghalaya Governor C.H. Vijayashankar said the state’s economy has almost doubled in the last seven years, describing the achievement as a reflection of the “resilience and determination of the people.” Addressing the opening of the Budget Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, the Governor highlighted the state’s strong economic performance and outlined the government’s long-term development plans.According to the Governor, Meghalaya recorded a real Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth rate of 9.66 percent in 2024-25, placing it among the fastest-growing states in the country. He said the state has maintained an average growth rate of around 10 percent for two consecutive years after the Covid-19 pandemic, demonstrating steady recovery and expansion. Meghalaya’s economy has...