Page 5 - Meghalaya

Drug major AstraZeneca commits $71 mn to Meghalaya's forestry project

European drug major AstraZeneca has announced a USD 71 million funding to plant and maintain an estimated 64 million plants and trees in the country, primarily in the ecologically fragile Meghalaya. The funding is part of its global forest programme, under which it has committed to plant 200 million trees across six continents by 2030, the company said in a statement on Monday. The company will implement the restoration programme in collaboration with Earthbanc, Earthtree, Worldview Impact India and the Hill Farmers Shiitake Mushroom Coop Society on the Meghalaya Reforestation and Sustainable Livelihoods Project called the Regeneration Meghalaya -- a 30-year regenerative horticulture and agriculture project in the northeastern state. About 200,000 trees have already been planted and with the official project launch, soil and water conservation work is underway to enable further planting of millions of trees in 2024. The project aims to help Meghalayan farmers restore 22,670 hectare

Meghalaya women's helpline gets over 36,000 calls since launch: Minister

The women's helpline number 181 in Meghalaya has received over 36,000 calls of which the majority were for seeking protection from abuse and violence, state Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh said on Wednesday. The women's helpline number 181 was launched in Meghalaya in February 2022. "We have received 36,362 calls on the number 181 as of date for which 477 cases have been registered, 158 cases are active and 304 are closed," Paul told PTI. He said the response has been not bad considering that in a state where we generally tend to hide things and don't go beyond the four walls of our house, women are making use of the number 181. "The fact that 36,000 calls were made since the service was activated shows that the response has been high," he added. The minister said the state government has decided to integrate the women's helpline 181 and child helpline 1098 to ensure round-the-clock service to attend to distress calls. Social Welfare Director Camelia Doreen Lyngwa said the .

Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Who are rat hole miners and how do they work?

A mining technique that has been banned in India over safety concerns proved instrumental in rescuing the 41 trapped workers

Pick-up truck hits pilot car of Meghalaya CM's convoy, Sangma safe: Police

The pilot car of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma's convoy was hit by a pick-up truck at Upper Shillong on Saturday, police said. The chief minister was safe, a police officer said. The incident took place at around 9:30 am at Upper Shillong while the CM was en route to Dawki town close to the Indo-Bangladesh border for an official programme. According to the police, a pick-up truck hit the pilot car of the CM's convoy which partially caused damage to both the vehicles.

Inclusivity, creativity lie at forefront of developmental policies: Sangma

Emphasising the need to harness the creative potential of the youth, the CM outlined a multi-faceted strategy that encompasses the film industry, music, tourism, and entrepreneurship

Meghalaya govt accepts FRBM Act amendment, allows Rs 400 cr borrowing boost

The Meghalaya cabinet on Thursday approved the amendment to a law, which will enable the state to increase borrowings by up to Rs 400 crore this year. After chairing the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the council of ministers green-lighted the amendment to the Meghalaya Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2006. "The Act was also amended last year as per GoI's (Government of India) permission to allow states to increase the budget borrowings based on reforms taken by states on an annual basis. "Last year based on the reforms taken by various departments, our borrowing limit was increased by 4 per cent and for this year, based on the power reforms there will be 0.5 per cent increase in the budget borrowing," Sangma said on X, formerly Twitter. It would allow the government to increase borrowings by up to Rs 400 crore, the chief minister said, The cabinet also approved the proposal for the "adaptation of NCERT textbooks with modifications in certain

Meghalaya retains less than 2% of total rainwater it receives: CM Sangma

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the northeastern state receives 63 billion cubic litres of water annually through rainfall but is able to retain only 1 billion cubic litres of water. He said this on Wednesday while launching the Meghalaya Water Smart Kid campaign, an initiative under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to create awareness about water conservation among children. "Meghalaya is one of the wettest places on earth. We receive about 63 billion cubic litres of water annually, of which 31 billion cubic litres flow to Bangladesh and 31 billion cubic litres flows to Assam," he said. The chief minister said to address the issue of water conservation and sustainability, the state government has taken various interventions, which are supported by externally aided projects (EAPs) and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. He informed that 1,000 water reservoirs are being constructed across the state, to harness water and increase the groundwater table through .

Meghalaya HC directs govt, AAI to complete inspection for Shillong Airport

The Meghalaya High Court asked the state government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to complete the inspection of Shillong Airport for extending the runway within the next couple of months. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice B Bhattacharjee on Monday while hearing a PIL said AAI has informed that a cost estimate for carrying out the feasibility of extending the runway at the Shillong Airport at Umroi town has been submitted to the state and the state is yet to respond. "It is hoped that the AAI and the state work out the modalities and complete the necessary inspection within the next couple of months," the bench said while directing that the matter will appear after 10 weeks. On October 15, Minister in-charge Transport Sniawbhalang Dhar had informed that the state government is waiting for the feasibility report on whether bigger aircraft can operate from Umroi Airport. "The new consultants have requested us to give them two months (to submit th

Meghalaya Cabinet approves proposal to pay Rs 565 cr power dues of NTPC

The Meghalaya Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to clear Rs 565 crore pending power dues of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) in 20 instalments, state Power Minister AT Mondal said. The proposal of the Meghalaya Power department was approved by the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. Talking to reporters, Mondal said the department has moved the NTPC for negotiation after the power dues rose to Rs 665 crore. If allowed to continue the dues would soon cross Rs 1,000 crore and create a burden for the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL), Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) and also for the state government. "After negotiation and meetings, they (NTPC) agreed that now we can pay them Rs 565 crore instead of Rs 664 or 665 crore. So we got relief from that point of view but this amount should be paid in around 20 instalments," he said, adding that NTPC has agreed to waive off over Rs 100 crore and that there is now a ...

Monitoring situation: Meghalaya CM on North-East Express train derailment

Taking to X (former Twitter), Chief Minister Sangma tweeted, "We are in touch with railway authorities and have been monitoring the situation. Citizens of Meghalaya can reach out to State authorities

Rs 50 lakh worth of banned phensedyl syrup seized from truck in Meghalaya

Meghalaya police has seized over 44,000 bottles of banned phensedyl cough syrup worth close to Rs 50 lakh from an abandoned truck in East Jaintia Hills district, police said on Wednesday. Acting on a tip-off, police detected two trucks coming from the opposite direction at Lumshnong both bearing the same registration numbers. While the truck proceeding from Assam stopped, the other drove rashly instead and when pursued, the driver abandoned it, district SP Jagpal Dhanoa told PTI. When police searched the truck in the presence of independent witnesses, 150 bags containing 44,900 bottles (100 ml) each of banned phensedyl syrup were recovered. The latest seizure comes a few days after the Meghalaya police busted a fake phensedyl factory in nearby West Jaintia Hills district in which 3 persons were arrested. The cost of a 100ml phensedyl bottle is around Rs 100 in India while it fetches nearly 10 times its price in Bangladesh.

SAMPRITI: Indian, Bangladesh armies commence joint military exercise

India and Bangladesh on Tuesday commenced the 11th edition of the annual joint military exercise, 'SAMPRITI-XI' in Umroi, Meghalaya, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement

India, Bangladesh kick-start 2-week military exercise in Meghalaya

India and Bangladesh began a two-week military exercise in Meghalaya's Umroi on Tuesday with an aim to share tactical drills and promote best practices in carrying out sub-conventional operations. The exercise -- "SAMPRITI-XI" -- promises to further enhance the defence cooperation between India and Bangladesh, fostering deeper bilateral relations, cultural understanding and mutual benefits from shared experiences, the defence ministry said. "This exercise, alternatingly organised by both countries, signifies strong bilateral defence cooperation initiatives. With its inception in Jorhat, Assam in 2009, the exercise has witnessed 10 successful editions till 2022," it said. Around 350 personnel from both sides are participating in the exercise. The Bangladeshi contingent comprises 170 personnel, led by Brigadier General Mohammed Mafizul Islam Rashed, Commander of 52 Bangladesh Infantry Brigade. The lead unit from the Bangladesh Army side is 27 Bangladesh Infantry Regiment. The India

Earthquake of magnitude 5.2 jolts Meghalaya, nearby states; no loss of life

An Earthquake of Magnitude 5.2 shook Meghalaya and nearby states on Monday evening, the National Centre for Seismology said. There was no immediate report of any loss of life or damage to property. The tremor occurred at 6.15 pm in North Garo Hills district in the northeastern state at a depth of 10 km. The epicentre is around 3 km from Resubelpara, the district headquarters. The jolt was also felt in nearby states such as Assam and the northern part of West Bengal and Sikkim. "We have not received any report of loss of life or damage to property," said an official of the disaster management authority here. The northeastern states fall in the high seismic zone, and earthquakes frequently hit the region.

Fresh clash along Assam-Meghalaya interstate border, one person injured

One person was injured in a clash at a disputed area along the Assam-Meghalaya interstate border as locals from both sides used bows and arrows and catapults to attack each other, officials said on Wednesday. The incident occurred on Tuesday in the disputed place along the boundary between the Lapangap village in Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills district and the Tapat area under the Hamren subdivision of West Karbi Anglong district of Assam. A person from Karbi Anglong district was injured, while no one from the Meghalaya side was seriously hurt in the incident, officials said. The situation was brought under control after police teams from both states visited the spot and placated the locals. The situation remained calm but tense on Wednesday morning as a fresh clash between the villagers from both sides was reported, an official from Meghalaya said. Some huts belonging to Khasi farmers in Lapangap were also burnt down, escalating tension in the area, a senior official of West Jain

Fresh clashes erupt along Assam-Meghalaya interstate border, none injured

A fresh clash occurred at a disputed village along the Assam-Meghalaya interstate boundary as locals from both sides used bows and arrows and catapults to attack each other, officials said on Wednesday. However, no injuries were reported in the incident that took place in Lapangap village along the boundary between Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills district and Assam's West Karbi Anglong district on Tuesday. The situation was brought under control after police teams from both states visited the spot and placated the locals. The situation remained calm but tense on Wednesday morning as police forces from both states prevented villagers from congregating at the spot where the clash occurred. "We are coordinating with our counterparts in Assam's West Karbi Anglong district to keep the situation under control," a senior official of the West Jaintia Hills district said.

New Meghalaya Assembly building construction cost escalates to Rs 200 cr

The cost for constructing a new building of the Meghalaya Assembly building increased to Rs 200 with a High-Powered Committee (HPC) on Wednesday approving an escalated expenditure of Rs 60 crore for the purpose, Speaker Thomas A Sangma said. Addressing reporters, Sangma justified the escalation of price citing technical issues and increase in floor area. "The floor area has become bigger. The cost escalated is due to expansion of structural area and not due to the time required for completing the project," he said. The building is being constructed at New Shillong township near here. The project was delayed after the dome of the new assembly building collapsed in May last year. The Speaker said the project is progressing but there are some technical issues, which are unavoidable. However, the clearing of the debris (caused by the dome collapse) and the approval of the new dome design have been completed, he said. "We are hopeful that the construction of the building will be comp

Mudslide blocks tunnel in Meghalaya, traffic in NE states affected: Police

A mudslide caused by incessant rainfall blocked the Sonapur tunnel on NH 6 in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district on Saturday blocking traffic movement to Tripura, Mizoram and Assam's Barak valley, police said. The mudslide was caused by incessant rainfall in the state in the past 24 hours. Two vehicles were stuck in the mudslide, Superintendent of Police, Jagpal S Dhanoa told PTI. He said the NHAI was informed for necessary clearance and to make sure traffic on the important NH 6 connecting to three other north eastern states flow normally. Earthmovers and personnel were put to work to clear the debris and the stuck vehicles, an NHAI official said.

Meghalaya to soon announce IT policy for attracting investments: CM Sangma

The Meghalaya government will soon announce an IT policy which will benefit investors and create employment opportunities in the state, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Friday. Addressing a programme here, he said investors will be provided incentives in terms of capital investment, GST and electricity tariff, among others, under the policy. "We are on the verge of announcing the IT policy. It has taken us about a year's time, and we had elections in between. We are waiting for the final comments from the Industries Department, and within a couple of weeks, maximum of three weeks, we will roll out the IT policy," he said. Under the CM-ELEVATE program, the state government plans to provide financial support to 20,000 startups and businesses, including those in the IT sector, in the future, Sangma said. "We feel the government should provide subsidies to such industries that give direct benefit to our people in terms of employment, rather than giving benefits to large industrie

ADB approves $40.5 mn loan for Meghalaya early childhood development scheme

Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday said it has approved a USD 40.5-million loan for integrated early childhood development (ECD) and maternal mental health programme in Meghalaya. The state government is contributing USD 15.27 million to the project, the multilateral funding agency said in a statement. The project will strengthen home-based childcare (children 01.5 years) and centre-based childcare (1.56 years) through daycare (Anganwadi) centres in Meghalaya, it said. The project aims to improve access to nurturing care, including a component of maternal mental healthcare and group-based parenting programmes to enable the inclusion of fathers in caregiving, it said. ADB's assistance will also improve nutrient adequacy by adding eggs to the diet of pregnant and lactating women and children aged 0.56 years, it said. As one of several climate-resilient features, the project will also help establish nutrition gardens at Anganwadi centres (AWC) for improved diet diversity and .