Staff Reporter
Shillong, Feb 3: President All Meghalaya Poultry Suppliers and Retailers Association Wanshai Kharshandi has rubbished an allegation that has been made against him, in which he is accused of demanding money from vehicles bringing poultry into the state.
Speaking to media persons, Kharshandi claimed that the members of All Meghalaya Poultry Suppliers and Retailers Association did not demand money but merely conducted checks on vehicles carrying poultry from outside the state to Meghalaya.
Kharshandi said that the checking of vehicles is according to the SoPs of the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary department to make sure that the poultry are fit for consumption by the public.
“The incident that took place on the 24 January, 2025, at Byrnihat was merely a check by members of the association as we had received complaints that there are vehicles carrying dead poultry to Meghalaya” alleged Kharshandi.
Kharshandi said that the checking was conducted in front of Byrnihat Police Station in the presence of doctors and members of the association.
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Jan 17: Highlighting the challenges faced by the education sector, Commissioner & Secretary Vijay Mantri has stated that the number of schools in Meghalaya is disproportionately large compared to its population size.
"For example, although Tripura has a larger population, it has only one-third of the schools that Meghalaya has. Manipur, with a similar population, has only 4,617 schools. Additionally, Meghalaya has an unusually high number of aided schools, whereas other states have relatively few. Nationally, aided schools account for less than 5 per cent of the total number of schools, but in Meghalaya, this proportion is 29 per cent,"he said while adding "For comparison, Kerala, with a population of 3.34 crore (Census 2011), which is roughly ten times that of Meghalaya, has the same number of schools—15,864 (source: Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, 2023-24). Similarly, Himachal Pradesh, which has a more challenging terrain than Meghalaya, has 17,826 schools, serving a population of 68.64 lakh."
"This disproportionate number of schools in Meghalaya has resulted in skewed student enrollment, with many schools reporting very low student numbers, including some with zero or just a few students," he added.
He informed that there over 206 schools with zero enrolment and 2269 schools with single digit enrolment of which there are 18 deficit and adhoc schools with zero enrolment and 1141 schools with single digit enrolment while in SSA, there are 30 schools with zero enrolment and 268 single digit enrolment and in government schools, there are 11 schools with zero enrolment and 132 schools with single digit enrolment.
Mantri also pointed out that one reason for the large number of schools is that a single school is often counted multiple times in the data. This occurs when a private school seeks multiple grants from the government. For example, a school named XYZ School may be counted as four separate schools, even though it is managed and owned by a single entity.
Shillong, November 30, 2024: The Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) successfully organized the World AIDS Day 2024 program yesterday under the theme"Take the Right path". The event was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Dr. Joram Beda, Commissioner and Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, as the Chief Guest, and Shri T.G. Momin, Joint Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, as the Guest of Honour. Also present was Dr. B. Decruse, Director of DHS (Research), who added significant value to the program with her presence.
The program commenced with a heartwarming welcome song performed by officials of MACS, setting a positive tone for the day. The event highlighted the achievements of the National AIDS Control Program Phase V (NACP V), as mementos were distributed to key functionaries who played an instrumental role in the 2024 IEC campaign, recognizing their dedication and contribution towards HIV/AIDS awareness.
This was followed by an engaging formal program, complemented by vibrant performances by local artists, including Na U Bnai, Never End, Toxic Pony, and Taken Aback. Their performances not only entertained the audience but also carried strong messages of unity and support for those living with HIV.
The program underscored the importance of continuous efforts to bridge gaps in accessibility, promote inclusive healthcare, and fight the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. The event concluded with a resounding commitment to the cause, as stakeholders and participants pledged to work collaboratively towards a healthier, more equitable Meghalaya.
Aide et Action conducted a Stakeholder’s Meeting under the Entreprise Promotion for Sustainable Development project which aims to promote an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Meghalaya on November 13, 2024, at the State Convention Centre, Shillong. The program was held as part of the project’s phase-end review, assessing the project's outreach and impact across East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi Districts in Meghalaya.
Launched in August 2020, the Enterprise Promotion for Sustainable Development Programme has focused on skill development for youth and provided need-based training to Self-Help Group (SHG) members in these districts. For SHG training, Aide et Action holds a non-financial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS).
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including MSRLS COO Mr. Ronald Kynta, who served as Chief Guest, along with state and district block officials from MSRLS. Other notable participants included representatives from the District Commerce & Industrial Centre, Meghalaya Basin Management Agency, Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (Shillong), Synjuk ki Seng Samla Shnong, Shillong Expressway Pvt Ltd, entrepreneurs promoted under the project, SHG members, successful youth, and program alumni. Stakeholders shared insights on various government schemes to assist youth and SHG members in launching their own enterprises, extending their best wishes for future endeavors.
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Oct 11: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inspected the road from Wansing Bazar to Dorrengre today.
In his interaction with the public after the inspection, Sangma said that it was the need of the community leaders of the village to have the road constructed.
“This road on Dalu-Gambegre Road is also very close to Tura and is important for the people of the area who had been meeting me persistently for the construction of this road. I am happy to share with you today that the DPR for this road has been prepared by the PWD department and soon work on this road will start,” he informed.
The road from Wansing Bazar to Dorrenge is about 5.5 kms and the sanctioned amount is 5.56 Cr.
The villagers also apprised the Chief Minister of the Chisakgre Sub Centre where an additional building was started but had been abandoned. The villagers urged the Chief Minister to revive the construction of the building and to complete it for the benefit of the villagers. The villagers also briefed the Chief Minister of the need for a transformer and a market shed in Wansing Bazar.
The Chief Minister assured the people of the area that the demands of the people would be looked into and followed up while the Market Shed for the bazar would be sanctioned from the Chief Minister’s Development Fund.
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Sept 30: Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, commenced her three-day visit to Arunachal Pradesh today by chairing a high-level meeting in Itanagar.
The meeting was convened to assess the performance of seven Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) operating in the NorthEast region, covering the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura.
The meeting was attended by M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), along with senior officials from the Finance Departments of all the North Eastern states and heads of participating banks. Key officials from RBI, NABARD, SIDBI, etc. were also present.
During the meeting, discussions centered on enhancing business performance, upgrading digital technology services, and promoting business growth in allied agriculture and MSME sectors.
The finance minister emphasized the critical role of RRBs in supporting rural economies and urged them, along with their sponsor banks, to focus on identifying suitable beneficiaries under various Government of India flagship schemes, including PM Vishwakarma.
Additionally, Sitharaman directed the RRBs to increase their contribution to ground-level agricultural credit disbursement, with a special emphasis on horticulture and allied activities such as piggery, poultry, dairy and fisheries, to further strengthen rural livelihoods.
On her second day in Arunachal Pradesh, the finance minister will visit Namsai, where she is scheduled to inaugurate the new SBI Regional Business Office, alongside other official engagements aimed at promoting financial inclusion and fostering economic development across the North Eastern region.
On the final day of the Union Finance Minister’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh on October 2, Sitharaman will participate in the Swachhata Hi Seva program in Namsai. This participation reaffirms the government’s commitment to cleanliness and community welfare as part of the nationwide campaign.
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Sept 26: North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), in collaboration with Raj Bhavan, Meghalaya, successfully organized a one-day Workshop on Drug Abuse at Raj Bhavan. The workshop, a vital step in addressing the growing menace of drug abuse in Meghalaya, was inaugurated by the Governor of Meghalaya, who presided as the Chief Guest. The event saw a convergence of academic leaders, social welfare experts, and youth from NEHU and beyond to discuss solutions to this critical issue.
In his speech, the Governor highlighted the severity of the drug abuse crisis, noting, "Drug abuse has become a silent epidemic, creeping into the lives of individuals, families, and communities, leaving behind a trail of destruction." He emphasized the multifaceted impact of substance abuse, calling it a "socio-economic, cultural, and law-and-order problem" that destabilizes communities and threatens the future of Meghalaya’s youth. Commending NEHU for organizing the workshop, the Governor added, "This initiative gives me hope. The academic community's proactive engagement is a testament to the growing awareness of the problem and the willingness to be part of the solution."
The Governor further stressed the need for collective action involving government agencies, law enforcement, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and civil society to combat drug abuse. He encouraged the youth to take an active role in raising awareness and being advocates for a drug-free lifestyle.
The Vice-Chancellor of NEHU, Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, also addressed the gathering, acknowledging the significant impact of drug abuse on Meghalaya and its youth. "This workshop is timely and critical," he remarked, emphasizing that the fight against drug abuse is one of the most pressing challenges of our times. He expressed gratitude to the experts for sharing their knowledge and insights, which would undoubtedly benefit the students and young attendees.
The workshop featured two key lectures. Michael Syngkon, from the Manbha Foundation, shared his organization's extensive experience in rehabilitating individuals affected by drug abuse. His talk provided practical insights and hope for those battling addiction. P. Sampat, Principal Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, gave an insightful presentation on the state's efforts to combat drug abuse, highlighting both the challenges and potential solutions.
A major highlight of the event was the release of the trailer for the feature film "Intezaar"(Nga dang iai ap), produced by Black Screen in collaboration with NEHU. Shot entirely at NEHU and featuring staff and students as actors, the film addresses pressing social issues in the region, with a particular focus on drug abuse. The film also includes inputs from the headman of Mawlai, reflecting community perspectives on the problem.
The workshop concluded with a call to action for the youth to be more involved in community efforts to combat drug abuse. The collective commitment from participants, including students, faculty, and government representatives, underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue, education, and intervention to address this growing issue.
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Aug 30: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said a comprehensive amendment of the Meghalaya Protection of Catchment Area Act, 1990 is under consideration so that the Act can be enforced in a proper manner with the cooperation of the landowners and other stakeholders.
Replying in the Assembly, Sangma said that the Meghalaya Protection of Catchment Area Act 1990 could not be implemented effectively as it does not provide any other mechanism for creation of catchment areas except through consent of the landowners which is extremely difficult to secure.
"Therefore, a comprehensive amendment of the act is under consideration. We will have a consultation with landowners (and other stakeholders including dorbar shnongs). We are open to all options, discussion and all kinds of amendment to ensure this Act can be enforced in a proper manner with the cooperation of the landowners (and other stakeholders)," he said.
Sangma said the Act stated that the government may on the advice of the advisory board and on receiving the consent of the landowners may declare an area to be a catchment area.
He however said the government did not get written consent of the landowners in all locations identified for declaration as catchment areas. These are critical areas from where rivers, streams originated and serve as water supply systems to any town, village or group of them.
"Therefore, I appeal to our MLAs of this House that we need to work together as the landowners' consent is required (this is also) a message to the landowners that we need to work together for the interest of present and future generations to come," Sangma added.
Further, the chief minister informed that the government had identified over 7000 critical springs in the state and of which, 750 are actually in severe state right now.
"We are coming up with an (action) plan through the soil and water conservation department. We are also working with the PHE department to preserve and conserve and rejuvenate these springs using the latest technologies," he said.
Earlier while raising concern over the issue, UDP legislator from Mawsynram Ollan Sing Suin urged the government to take care of all catchment areas in view that there is depletion of water and drying up of water sources. He also suggested the government consider land acquisition for protection of catchment areas.
Echoing a similar view, UDP legislator from Mawkyrwat Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar urged the government to amend the Act by asking traditional institutions or local bodies to declare an area as protected catchment area.
"Instead of the government identifying and declaring catchment areas, let the community or the syiem declares on this and get the approval of the government," he said.
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Aug 30: Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma today informed that the state has adopted the CBSE syllabus for classes XI and XII in Science and Commerce Streams from the academic session 2019-2019.
In his reply tabled in the Assembly, Sangma said the state has also adopted the CBSE syllabus in Arts stream for classes XI from the academic session 2024-2025 and for classes XII the CBSE syllabus will be adopted from the academic session 2025-2026, with contextualization in subjects namely Geography, Political Science and History.
The state government has also adopted NCERT textbooks from class I to class X for core subjects namely English, Mathematics and Science, he added.
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Sep 1: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge PWD (Roads) Prestone Tynsong has informed that Rs 404.35 crore was approved for implementation of 7 road projects under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (Roads) (NESIDS) during the last 5 years from 2019 to 2024.
Of this, the total fund released is Rs 276.88 crore, Tynsong informed.
He informed that the implementation period of the projects is 24 months from the date of issue of FWO. PWD (Roads) is the implementing agency.