Meghalaya

The Meghalaya High Court has issued notices to the concerned authorities regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET UG exams conducted at the Jowai and Nongpoh examination centers. The writ petition, filed by Eleazer Vincent Lyngdoh and others, targets the National Testing Agency (NTA) and additional parties, citing significant issues with the exam administration. During the hearing on August 5, Y Pallavi, counsel for the petitioners, emphasized the urgency of the matter due to the controversy surrounding the NEET UG exams in the two centers. Dr. N. Mozika, DSGI representing respondents No. 1, 2, and 3, acknowledged receiving instructions and requested…

The Meghalaya government has established a Rationalisation Committee to evaluate proposals for salary increases and rationalisation for all Samagra Shiksha (SSA) non-academic staff in the state. This move comes amid ongoing protests by SSA employees, who are demanding an 80% salary hike. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced the formation of the 20-member committee, which is led by Commissioner & Secretary Vijay Kumar Mantri, during a meeting with representatives of the All Meghalaya SSA Non-Teaching Staffs Association (AMSSANTSA) at his office. Currently, over 1,200 SSA non-teaching staff are staging an indefinite sit-in protest at Malki ground. They have rejected the…

The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has issued a stark warning of a "drastic step" if illegal settlers in Lum Survey are not evicted by August 19. This ultimatum follows a recent meeting with East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner and the CEO of Shillong Cantonment Board regarding an earlier eviction drive conducted by the HYC on May 23. HYC President Roy Kupar Synrem criticized the lack of action by the authorities, questioning why the defence estate officer had neither signed a lease agreement with the settlers nor recognized them as tenants on the 0.248-acre plot. He demanded to know why the…

The troops of the 193 Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Meghalaya intercepted and seized 19 wooden boats belonging to Bangladeshi smugglers in the Jadukata River near Ghumaghat on July 29. The smugglers were attempting to cross into Indian territory to collect stone boulders and sand, the BSF said in a press release. The operation underscores the dedication and vigilance of the BSF in securing the border and preventing illegal activities. Sharing the successful operation on X, BSF Meghalaya stated, "On 29 July 2024, the vigilant troops of 193 Batallion BSF Meghalaya successfully seized 19 Bangladeshi wooden boats…

After eight months of restricted traffic, the Meghalaya government has approved the resumption of two-way traffic on the Umiam Bridge starting July 30, following the completion of essential repairs. The Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) initiated the repair work last December to address structural concerns. The project involved replacing bridge bearings, adjusting expansion joints, and incrementally raising the bridge structure by 5-10 mm to enhance stability. During the repair period, traffic between Guwahati and Shillong was limited to one-way, causing significant delays and traffic snarls on both sides of the bridge. "After extensive discussions by the high-powered committee on the…

Tourism stakeholders in Meghalaya have condemned recent incidents of tourist harassment by local NGOs and pressure groups in popular destinations such as Sohra and Dawki. The industry reports a 30% loss in bookings and a potential 50% cancellation of tours due to these actions. On July 26, members of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Federation (HNYF) stopped vehicles registered in Assam at the Umtyngar junction, approximately 20 km from Shillong, demanding that tourists turn back. Industry representatives urged these groups to stop intimidating tourists, stating that such actions damage the state’s reputation and economy. They highlighted recent lawlessness, including violence against…

The Ministry of Communication, Department of Posts, Government of India, has officially approved Khasi and Garo languages for postal recruitment examinations. This landmark decision reflects a significant step toward recognizing and incorporating local languages into national recruitment processes. The approval, detailed in an Office Memorandum (OM) issued on July 10, 2024, follows a proposal by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. On May 23, 2023, Sangma advocated for the inclusion of Khasi and Garo as language options for Gramin Dak Sevak and other postal positions in Meghalaya. His proposal was directed to Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Information…