Shillong

Homnath Gautam, a resident of Upper Mawprem, formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday along with around 400 supporters, marking what he described as the beginning of his political journey. An aspiring candidate from the 18 West Shillong constituency, Gautam said the move reflects his commitment to strengthening the BJP's presence in the constituency and across the state. The mass induction is expected to bolster the party's organisational base ahead of future political engagements. Speaking after joining the party, Gautam said, "I am today joining with my supporters as one of the aspiring candidates from the 18 West constituency. Around 400 participants have joined along with me. If everybody joins together, it will make the BJP very strong, not only in 18 West but...

The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has defended its decision to deny a trading licence to quick-commerce platform Blinkit, saying it would threaten the livelihood of thousands of local grocery shop owners. KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh said the Executive Committee remains firm in its stand. He noted that although Blinkit reportedly secured a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Dorbar Shnong and Rangbah Shnong of Nongrim Hills, the company’s application has not yet reached his office. “If Blinkit comes here with a model that threatens the livelihood of indigenous people, the Executive Committee will not grant a trading licence,” Lyngdoh asserted. He pointed out that quick-commerce platforms offering heavy discounts and doorstep delive...

Former Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), P.K. Sangma, passed away on Thursday at Williamnagar Civil Hospital after a brief illness. He was undergoing treatment at the time of his death. A veteran politician from East Garo Hills, Sangma was a prominent figure in district council politics and served as a Member of the District Council (MDC). He first assumed office as the Chief Executive Member of GHADC in 2009, heading the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-led Executive Committee. In February 2011, he returned as CEM with the support of the Indian National Congress and its allies following a political realignment within the council. During his tenure, Sangma played a key role in the administration of the autonomous district council ...

The Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) has made an appeal to the President of India to amend the central mining laws to allow earlier practice of coal mining in Jaintia Hills in a regulated manner. The JHADC on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution moved by JHADC chief executive member Thombor Shiwat during a special session of the Council. The resolution called for modifications to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960, and the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015. Shiwat cited constitutional provisions, saying Paragraph 12A(b) of the Sixth Schedule empowers the President to “exempt the Autonomous Districts of Meghalaya from Parliamentary laws, or to apply them with necessary modifications as dee...

Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne on Friday raised sharp objections during the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council budget discussion, questioning the shift from surplus to deficit and opposing proposed amendments to the KHAD Regulation and Administration of Land Act. Chyne flagged the financial turnaround in just one year. “I express my concern because barely a year ago you presented a surplus budget, but this year it is a deficit budget. I don’t know the reason why, just one year after you presented a surplus budget, you now talk loudly about wasteful expenditure. That means there was wasteful expenditure which has turned the budget into a deficit,” he said. The opposition leader also targeted the Executive Committee’s proposed changes to the Land Act. He noted that S...

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday, said funding for Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) in the Northeast has increased seven-fold under the Narendra Modi government, while stressing that such projects should be viewed not merely as sources of financing but as instruments for boosting livelihoods, improving market access and driving economic transformation in the region. Addressing a conference on "Leveraging Externally Aided Projects in the Northeastern States" in Shillong, Sitharaman said central support under EAPs had risen from around Rs 9,000 crore during 2004-14 to nearly Rs 76,000 crore between 2014 and 2026. The conference was attended by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang,...

The Meghalaya government has imposed restrictions on traffic movement towards Eastern Air Command and Shillong Peak on account of Union Minsiters Nirmala Sitharaman and Rajnath Singh's visit to Kendriya Vidyalaya, EAC and Kendriya Vidyalaya AFS. According to an official programme, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will take part in the Yoga event at the Airforce, Upper Shillong on June 21 early hours. A day before on Saturday (June 20), the union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will visit the Airforce (Laitkor). Restrictions have already imposed on the movement of tourists from 7 am to 11 am. The government has already restricted the movement of tourists. The union minister is scheduled to visit PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, EAC Headquarters, Upper Shillong. Sources...

Members of the ‘Ride to Serve Shillong’ bike taxi collective have submitted a fresh representation to Meghalaya Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, seeking urgent intervention on their three-year-old request for direct, individual operating permits. In the letter addressed to the minister’s office, the riders stated that since June 24, 2023, they have repeatedly petitioned the government and transport authorities for a system that allows eligible riders to operate without being tied to any aggregator, company, or platform. They contend that individual permits would create a clear, regulated framework while protecting the livelihoods of hundreds of local youth engaged in last-mile transport. The group has asked the minister to direct the Transport Department and District Transpo...

With the aim of giving new momentum to organic agriculture-based production, the Northeast’s largest organic spice processing centre was inaugurated in Meghalaya. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated this state-of-the-art project on Friday in Ri-Bhoi district. The inaugural ceremony was held in the presence of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. Addressing farmers, tribal leaders and local residents, Nirmala Sitharaman said that the growing global demand for organic and quality agricultural products has opened new doors of opportunity for Meghalaya. The Union Minister also remarked that the future of agriculture lies not in higher production alone, but in producing better quality, safe, environment-friendly and easil...