The Shillong Times

KHADC asserts jurisdiction over Sixth Schedule land SHILLONG, Nov 3: The Shillong Peak Ropeway controversy took a fresh turn on Tuesday when KHADC Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne contested the state governments claim of owning the land proposed for the project, asserting that the District Council retains complete jurisdiction over land falling within Sixth Schedule []

SHILLONG, Nov 3: Almost 14 months after he was given charge of the high-profile Tourism portfolio, Cabinet Minister Timothy D. Shira is set to be unceremoniously removed from the department as new inductee Paul Lyngdoh is set to reclaim his cherished portfolio. A bitter Shira on Tuesday lamented that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma did []

SHILLONG, Nov 3: Reduced from a major coalition partner with 12 legislators to a party with just one MLA, the United Democratic Party on Tuesday pulled out of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government with immediate effect, ending an eight-year political partnership with its ally. The decision, taken after hours of deliberations at an emergent []

SHILLONG, Nov 3: Ten pressure groups on Tuesday jointly issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Meghalaya government, accusing it of lacking the political will to protect the indigenous population and warning of public agitation if key laws remain unimplemented. The organisations, which met Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma at his official residence, demanded the enforcement []

SHILLONG, Nov 3: A representation seeking cancellation of an August 21 coal auction notice has been submitted to the authorities concerned. Issued by the office of the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, the notice proposed auctioning about 1,21,288 metric tonnes of seized coal. The submission cites alleged violations of court-mandated procedures. It also points out []

SHILLONG, Nov 3: The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has told the High Court of Meghalaya that expansion of the Shillong Airport has commenced. The court noted that Additional Solicitor General N. Mozika and Additional Advocate General N.D. Chullai tendered the status report on actions taken by the respective parties pursuant to its October 29 []

SHILLONG, Nov 3: The Department of Nanotechnology at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) organised a one-day workshop on Nano-Assisted Electrochemical Sensing Platform today to mark Nanotechnology Day. Held in collaboration with Class One Systems S&T Pvt. Ltd. (PalmSens), the event brought together academics, researchers, industry experts, and students to discuss advancements and practical applications in electrochemical []

TURA, Nov 3: The All Garo Hills Agri-Horti Suppliers Association has sought comprehensive policy and administrative reforms to strengthen government procurement, ensure accountability and protect the interests of genuine Meghalaya-based agriculture and horticulture suppliers. The association, comprising a large number of bona fide suppliers who have partnered with various government departments over several decades in []

SHILLONG, Nov 3: The Regional Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (RCONF), Imphal, in collaboration with the Bio-Resources Development Centre (BRDC), Shillong, began a two-day training programme on capacity building for Bio-Input Resource Centre (BRC) entrepreneurs here on Tuesday. Addressing the inaugural session at the BRDC conference hall as the chief guest, Meghalaya Agricultural Management []

Dancers clad in traditional attire take part in the Shad Nongkrem Dance at Smit, East Khasi Hills, on Monday. (ST)

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 2: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has re-inducted National Peoples Party MLA Paul Lyngdoh into the Cabinet and assigned him the Tourism portfolio, a move widely seen as a strategic response to mounting opposition against the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project. Lyngdoh was sworn in as Cabinet Minister on Monday by []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 2: Even as the National Peoples Party has emerged stronger within the MDA government in recent weeks, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday asserted that the party never deliberately sought to break its coalition partners. Speaking to media persons after the oath-taking ceremony of Paul Lyngdoh as Cabinet Minister, []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 2: The District Council Affairs Department and the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council have given conflicting accounts over whether the Council received an informal warning about problems in the 2026 Amendment Bill months before the Governor formally rejected it. The DCA Department says it passed on the Law Departments concerns []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 2: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday asserted that opposition to projects such as the Shillong Ropeway would directly affect the livelihoods of hundreds of local youths in the state. Reacting to the sustained resistance against the project, Sangma said the government remains ready to engage with stakeholders on []

City hosts first outstation hearing on FCRA Amendment Bill By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 2: Faith-based organisations account for only around six per cent of the roughly Rs 22,000 crore in foreign contributions received in the country, Joint Parliamentary Committee chairman Sanjay Jaiswal said on Monday after the panels first outstation consultation on the Foreign []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 2: Meghalaya is grappling with a deepening water crisis after an 85 per cent rainfall deficit in October left the state with just 38.3 mm of rain against the monthly normal of 255 mm. The shortfall followed an already weak southwest monsoon. Between June and September the state received only []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 2: A liver tonic marketed under the name LIVSAV-DS and sold in Meghalaya has brought into sharp focus allegations of trademark misuse involving a Shillong-based BJP functionary, while also raising serious questions about the regulatory scrutiny of the product circulating in the state. Hindustan Research Health Products, which claims to []

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 2: The five-day Shad Nongkrem festival, one of the most significant traditional religious celebrations of the Khasi community, concluded in a grand display of cultural splendour, devotion and traditional fervour at Smit, the headquarters of the erstwhile Khasi state of Hima Khyrim, about 15 km south of Shillong. The ancient []

TURA, Nov 2: Six student groups from South West Garo Hills have been selected to represent the district at the state-level 32nd National Childrens Science Congress, scheduled to be held in Shillong during the first week of December, following the district-level competition held at St. Claret Secondary School, Ampati, on Monday. Students from various schools []

LONDON, Nov 1: A compelling weekend of Premier League football delivered shockwaves across the division as Brighton & Hove Albion pulled off a stunning 1-0 upset against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, while Aston Villa stumbled at home to Fulham, and in-form Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur sustained their winning momentum. At the Etihad, Fabian []

Kane goes scoreless as Bayern held by Dortmund Berlin, Nov 1: Harry Kane endured a rare off-day on his return to action after winning the Ballon dOr, as Bayern Munich were held to a 2-2 draw by Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling Bundesliga Klassiker on Saturday. Kane, who scored 73 goals for club and country []

Jalandhar, Nov 1: Skipper Harmanpreet Singh continued his goal-scoring spree with a fine hat-trick as five-time champions India defeated Malaysia 4-2 to register their fourth consecutive win at the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Sunday. It was a rematch of the Asian Games gold medal match where India prevailed over Malaysia 5-1 in []

Saarbrucken, Nov 1: Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu clinched her second title of the season, bagging the Hylo Open Super 500 tournament with a straight game win over world No. 25 Line Hojmark Kjrsfeldt of Denmark here on Sunday. A former world champion, Sindhu, who won the Japan Open in July and finished runner-up at []

London, Nov 1: Stoke City are exceeding their pre-season expectations and have emerged as genuine contenders for a Championship play-off place following an impressive run of results, according to BBC Radio Stokes Mark Elliott. The Potters strengthened their promotion credentials with a comfortable victory over Preston on Saturday, producing an improved second-half display that highlighted []

New Delhi, Nov 1: Indias hopes of reaching the 2027 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final remain alive, but their qualification prospects have suffered a major setback following an inconsistent campaign that has left them fifth in the standings. With seven Tests remaining in the current 2025-27 cycle, India will need a strong finish, potentially []

Paris, Nov 1: French authorities expressed relief Sunday after mass protests over rising living costs resulted in less violence than previous weekends. But authorities expect new demonstrations as high schools at the heart of the movement reopen Monday after their autumn break. Frances protests were overwhelmingly peaceful, with whimsical Halloween costumes lightening the mood, but []

Washington, Nov 1: Indian nationals account for about 91 per cent of approved advanced-degree green card petitions stuck waiting for a visa number, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services data. USCIS data as of June 2026 show 391,296 approved petitions in the employment-based second preference (EB-2) category, for advanced-degree professionals, awaiting green cards. Of []

As part of its centenary celebrations, the Rilbong Durga Puja Committee staged two Bengali dramas, Typist and Protarona, on 23 and 24 October, respectively. Rilbong and Shillong at large, was once renowned for its vibrant theatre culture, and has long been celebrated as a cultural hub that hosted many eminent theatre artistes from Kolkata, including []

As part of the grand series of events organised by the Rilbong Durga Puja Committee (RDPC) to commemorate its centenary celebrations, a landmark ceremony was held on October 15, 2026, to honour some of the most distinguished personalities whose immense contributions have helped shape the destiny and identity of Shillong. At this one-of-a-kind occasion, several []

SHILLONG: Meghalaya-ni Grade-I employees aro pensioner-rang jemangan apsan grade-o retire ba kamoni nengtakahachim, uamang adokni apalchi ree gipin adokrangona sanna air ba sildoreng gita songrena nangaon Finance (AF) Department-oniko rachakaniko ba approval-ko rachengna nangjawajok. Sukrobar salo Finance (AF) Department-ni ongipa circular ba niamo, Grade 1 employee-rangna gipin adokrangchi sana sildorengo songrena gita department-o singchengna nangjawajok []

SHILLONG: Advocate General Amit Kumar-ni kosako dakgrikengon Meghalaya High Court-ni Bar Association aro Shillong Bar Association, changsatai AG-ko court-o bak raa changprakon lak 1.50 tangkako sorkarioniko raa ine matnangaha. Ian nangana batdepile tangka raani onga, niatgenchimode chugimik tangka raako niatgenchimode kror 1 badeangpila ine aganaha. Invoice-rangko sakki dake mesokenba, organisation, Kumar-ni batanggimin September jani 3 []

WILLIAMNAGAR: Achik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM), Dobu Regional Unit, East Garo Hills, Dobu Public Health Centre (PHC)-ko Community Health Centre (CHC)-ona radochina Meghalaya sorkariko molmolangaha. Unbaksana dao donggipa PHC-ni building-ni obosta namsranggijaniko janape, chuonga gita medical staff, samrangko manja unbaksana bijoliba dongja ine aganaha. East Garo Hills-ni Deputy Commissioner-ni gita Health and Family Welfare Minister []

The Mumbai Crime Branch, investigating the attack on Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, has reportedly uncovered details suggesting that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was attempting to establish its dominance in Mumbai by challenging the long-standing influence and fear associated with Dawood Ibrahim and the D-Company. According to the Mumbai Polices investigation, the gangs alleged objective behind []

Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh kicked off the India leg of his Aura Tour with a spectacular, sold-out concert at Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday. The evening featured energetic performances, elaborate stage production and a strong message to his critics: Dont teach Punjabis how to fight battles. Addressing the audience, Dosanjh thanked fans []

Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, known for directing films such as Kaante, Shootout at Lokhandwala and Kaabil, passed away at the age of 59 after reportedly slipping and hitting his head at his residence in Mumbai. His close friend and filmmaker Milan Zaveri confirmed the news to PTI. According to Senior Police Inspector Deepshikha Ware, the Versova []

A hidden threat is making it harder for bees, butterflies and other pollinators to do their job: air pollution is scrambling the floral scents they use to find flowers. Colleagues and I have just published research showing that ground-level ozone and nitrogen oxides (two pollutants strongly linked to fossil fuel use) significantly impair pollinators ability []

A new study revealed that the warming rate has surged to approximately 0.35C per decade, nearly double the average pace observed from 1970 to 2015. After removing natural climate fluctuations, researchers confirmed the acceleration with more than 98% statistical confidence, according to the ScienceDaily website. Global warming has accelerated sharply over the past decade, with []

Raw, grilled, roasted, stuffed there are many ways to enjoy capsicums, also called bell peppers, sweet peppers or paprika. Capsicums originated in Central and South America and belong to the nightshade family along with tomatoes and eggplants. Like tomatoes, we consider capsicums a vegetable because theyre lower in sugar than most fruits and are []

Mumbai, Oct 31: The Indian equity benchmarks posted firm recovery of nearly 2 per cent this week amid renewed buying from foreign institutional investors (FIIs), easing bond yields and favourable domestic earnings results. Nifty added 2 per cent during the week and gained 0.51 per cent on the last trading day to reach 23,053. At []

Kolkata/New Delhi, Oct 31: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, said on Saturday that the capital markets regulator continuously works towards making Indias capital markets more accessible, efficient and resilient, focusing on facilitating capital formation, improving ease of doing business and strengthening investor protection. Speaking at the Bharat Chamber []

New Delhi, Oct 31: The World Bank Groups October 2026 Poverty; Equity Brief confirms that India has demonstrated one of the fastest and most expansive poverty reduction in modern history, according to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. The report states several significant gains, including 49.6 crore people moving above the lower-middle-income poverty line of []

New Delhi, Oct 31: The Congress on Saturday posed questions to the government related to transparency and conflicts of interest amid the IDBI Bank sale row, asking why such concerns arise with every major government deal under the Modi dispensation. Congress general secretary (in-charge Communications) Jairam Ramesh said the IDBI, established on July 1, 1964, []

SHILLONG, Oct 31: In a major political development, Power and Water Resources Minister and United Democratic Party (UDP) president, Metbah Lyngdoh on Saturday resigned from the Cabinet with immediate effect, following the exit of 11 of the partys 12 MLAs. Lyngdoh said he had submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, citing the []

SHILLONG, Oct 31: BJP legislator Olansing Suin on Saturday dismissed speculation that the eight former United Democratic Party MLAs who recently joined the BJP were pressing for ministerial berths. The BJPs legislator count in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly increased from two to 10 after the eight crossed over from the UDP. This led to theories []

Punjab gives domestic PSPCL consumers 300 free units per month. Cross that limit by one unit and every unit becomes payable at Rs. 7.05. Here is how the scheme works and what to watch. Two bills. Same household. One cycle they used 598 units. Bill: Rs. 0. Next cycle they used 604 units. Bill: over []