Meghalaya Police foil bid to smuggle marijuana in East Jaintia Hills

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 14: Two persons were arrested along with over 71 kgs of marijuana in the East Jaintia Hills district on 14th morning. They have been identified as Babalu Singh (56) of Kale Diara, Patna and Saranjan Mahto (39) of Bihar, district police chief Jagpal Singh Dhanoa said.

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He said a Naka was set up by the ANTF team and staff of the anti-infiltration Umtyra CP after receiving credible information that two drug suppliers are travelling in a Maruti Sx4 (As 01 AN 3312) with suspected contraband concealed in the vehicle moving from Kalain towards Khliehriat.

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Their vehicle was intercepted while it was coming from Lumshnong at 6.15 am. On a search being conducted, 117 packets of suspected contraband were found hidden under the rear bumper and backlight.

A preliminary test of the suspected contraband was conducted and showed positive results for Marijuana weighing 71.476 kgs, the SP said.

A case under the appropriate section of the NDPS Act has been registered at Khliehriat police station and an investigation is on to trace the forward and backward linkages, he added.

No payment needed for new LPG connection says Meghalaya RTI activist

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 14: RTI activist Disparsing Rani informed that as per RTI reports received from the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) government of India indicates that LPG gas connection under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) scheme in the whole country is still going on free of cost.

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Speaking to media persons, Rani asserted that he had sought information under the RTI regarding this issue as he had received complaints that there are Gas agencies which charge up to Rs.6000 for new LPG gas connections.

“As per the RTI report received from the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited government of India showed that the LPG gas connection under the PMUY scheme in the whole country including in Meghalaya is still going on free of cost,” said Rani.

Rani informed that in Meghalaya there are four LPG gas distributors which were released by the government of India through the HPCL which includes Brothers HP Gas Gramin Kharkuta North Garo Hills, Genesis HP Gas Gramin Mawkyrwat South West Khasi Hills, JP HP Gas Gramin Mawbari Ri-bhoi district and Twin HP Gas Gramin Barato West Jaintia Hills.

He added that he had reached out to one Longkmie Gas Agency with regard to free gas connection but they failed to explain the reason due to which the free connection of gas has been halted in Meghalaya.

On the other hand, Rani informed that in IHM Shillong there are a total of 16 sanctioned posts out of which 8 posts are currently vacant and at present, the IHM Shillong is currently engaging on 1 contractual post and 10 posts are outsourced through an agency.

Rani asserted that there is a shortage of staff at the institute and proper teachers and assistance which could have a detrimental impact on the quality of education being imparted to students.

When it comes to providing ex-gratia to the next of kin of the deceased person due to Covid-19 in Meghalaya, Rani said that as per RTI report the Revenue & Disaster Management Department has paid an amount of rupees Rs. 6,66,00,000 from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to the families of those who succumbed due to Covid-19 in the state.

Rani alleged that he has received complaints that there are around 10 families who have sent in complaints of not receiving the Rs. 50,000 ex-gratia from the SDRF even after reaching out to the department concerned.

MDA 2.0 backs Thomas Sangma as Speaker

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 7: NPP leader and North Tura legislator Thomas A Sangma was today nominated as the candidate of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA-2) for the post of Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.

Thomas A Sangma has also filed his nominations before the Assembly’s Commissioner & Secretary Andrew Simons at the Assembly Secretariat for the upcoming Speaker’s election to be held on March 9.

“Wishing Sh. Thomas A Sangma, Speaker nominee of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly the very best,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma tweeted.

Speaking to reporters, Thomas lauded the decision of the MDA-2 government led by Conrad Sangma to nominate him for the coveted post. He also thanked the previous government for giving him the opportunity to serve the people.

The MDA-2 government has the support of 45 MLAs of which 26 are from NPP, 11 UDP, 2 BJP, 2 HSPDP, 2 PDF and 2 Independents.

The opposition bench on the other hand has a strength of 14 members which include 5 Congress, 5 All India Trinamool Congress and 4 Voice of the People Party.