Tag: Meghalaya

Concerns over illicit extraction and its effects on the environment have long made mining operations in Meghalaya a divisive topic. The state government has reiterated its dedication to regulation, stressing that current legislative frameworks closely oversee mining operations. In answer to a query from Heavingstone Kharpran, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma spoke to the Assembly and described the many rules that are in effect. According to him, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957 and the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules of 2016 govern sand quarrying and stone mining. Additionally, sand quarrying is governed by the 2020 Enforcement & Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining and the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016. Environmental or...

At its meeting on February 26, the Meghalaya Cabinet approved the Meghalaya Urban Parking Policy 2025, which aims to streamline parking management and enhance urban mobility. The action is a component of the state's overall mobility plan, which aims to address the mounting issues of unorganized on-street parking in cities. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma emphasized at the meeting that the absence of a system to collect fees for cars parked on the road is a major problem, particularly in view of expanding urbanization and traffic issues. He added that local communities and dorbars have expressed their worries about the problem, highlighting the necessity of a well-organized system. The chief minister promised that in order to properly execute the parking changes and improve the organiza...

Marcuise N. Marak, Minister of Public Health Engineering (PHE), has expressed concern about the concerning loss of water supplies throughout Meghalaya, blaming the situation on unsustainable agricultural methods, Jhum farming, and climate change. He gave his word that corrective action has already been taken by the state administration to address the issue. According to Marak, the state's Climate Council, which is chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, is directing the corrective measures being implemented in response to the PHE department's identification of 741 essential water sources that need immediate attention. "The Indian government has already adopted the phrase "catch the rain where it falls." Thus, we are attempting to revitalize our streams and sources in accordance wit...

At the International Exposure Youth Programme in Jakarta, Indonesia, a delegation of 24 youths from 12 Meghalayan districts represented the state. The themes of this February 16–22 event include global cooperation, leadership, and cultural exchange. After 600 young people competed for a position in the program through a rigorous selection procedure, the delegation was waved off on February 14. Youth Program Coordinator Bobby Wahlang, Sports Officer (HQs) Darlene M. Khonglam, DSO Barbira Momin, and PTI Beltish Sangma accompany the group. On February 19, the delegates engaged in an interactive session with Indonesian adolescents and a cultural program at the Don Bosco Institute in Jakarta as part of their schedule. Stronger ties between the two countries were fostered by the event, which...

Almost 500 schools in Meghalaya are operating without recognition, although having UDISE codes. This is a serious problem for the state. Now that the Education Department has admitted that the issue is a result of outdated procedures in which official documents were released without rigorous adherence to regulations, the issue is being examined more closely. Swapnil Tembe, Director of School Education & Literacy, stressed that states have been directed by the Indian government to resolve the issues related to unrecognized schools. There are some schools that are not acknowledged by the system; in our state, there are approximately 500 schools that are still not acknowledged. Recognition indicates that the government or government representatives have issued some sort of document. T...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma responded on social media to the Union Budget 2025–2026 presented to Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, writing, "We are grateful to Hon'ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman for a visionary budget that prioritizes growth, innovation, and opportunities for our youth. With programs like the PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, improved MSMEs financial support, the updated UDAN scheme for improved connectivity, and school internet access, Meghalaya would gain a lot from this budget. Our goal is to double our GSDP by taking advantage of these opportunities to spur growth and generate jobs. We're constructing a better future for our state and its citizens together." Saleng A. Sangma, a member of parliament from Tura, responded...

Robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and emerging technologies will be incorporated into the curriculum by the Meghalaya government as part of a continuous update to the State Curriculum Framework (SCF) and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). Chief Secretary DP Wahlang affirmed that in addition to these upgrades, pupils will be exposed to new language learning programs, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT). "Yes, without a doubt," the Chief Secretary told reporters. There are changes being made to the educational curriculum. The State Curriculum Framework (SCF) is also being revised in conjunction with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). These improvements will introduce new fields like artificial intelligence (AI), robots, the Internet ...

A startling discrepancy between the number of schools and the state's population was found in a recent examination of Meghalaya's educational situation. Meghalaya has 14,582 schools, a sharp difference to Tripura's 4,929 establishments, although having a smaller population. There are 55,160 instructors spread throughout 4,172 aided schools and 7,783 government schools. In comparison, Manipur only has 4,617 schools despite having a nearly identical population. Less than 5% of all schools are nationally supported, but in Meghalaya, that number rises to 29%. Himachal Pradesh, which has more challenging topography, has 17,826 schools for its 68.64 lakh people, but Kerala, which has a population ten times larger, only has 15,864 schools. With 2,269 schools reporting single-digit attendance ...

The opening of Captain Williamson Sangma State institution, Meghalaya's first state-owned institution, was a momentous event. Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister Snaiwbhalang Dhar, Education Minister Rakkam Sangma, Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal, and other dignitaries were present when Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma officially opened the institution. The university is a major step in the direction of enhancing higher education in the state and is named after Captain Williamson A. Sangma, the first Chief Minister of Meghalaya. After development was approved in June 2018 at a cost of Rs 16.96 crore, the infrastructure was officially opened in January 2023. Originally intended to be a technological university in 2011, it changed its name in 2022 to encompass both technical a...

The High Court of Meghalaya established a commission to investigate serious claims of widespread illicit coal mining in the state, led by retired Justice BP Katakey. The unscientific and unlawful rat-hole mining operations in Dobakol Nongalbibra in South Garo Hills and Goreng in West Khasi Hills were the subject of multiple petitions submitted to the one-member committee. The complaints have been received, Katakey confirmed, and the relevant departments will be instructed to carry out the necessary investigations and report the results. The prospect of include non-governmental organizations in the inspection process is still open, and the committee is also thinking about physically inspecting the areas where illicit mining has been reported. The committee has lately received four more ...