Meghalaya Times

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, Mar. 04: Around 37,000 students will appear for the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) final examination of the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBoSE) on Friday in over 86 examination centres across the state.
Out of the 37,000 students to appear, girls appear to be leading in number with 19,471 candidates and boys with 17,529 out of which 16 are disabled candidates.
The commencement of the SSLC exam coincides with the visit of UPA chairperson and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to the city leading students and parents to fear that traffic chaos may occur in city routes and may cause them not to reach their exam venues on time.
There are around 35 examination centres in the city which will also accommodate students from outskirts.
Meanwhile, the Higher School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) final exam conducted by MBoSE has already begun from Wednesday with around 16,000 students appearing comprising of Arts, Science and Commerce streams
Out of the 86 centres, 49 are from the Khasi and Jaintia Hills and 37 from Garo Hills. 23 are from East Khasi Hills, 12 from West Khasi Hills, nine from Jaintia Hills and five for Ri Bhoi. In Garo Hills, 21 are from to West garo Hills, 10 from East Garo Hills and six from South Garo Hills.     
The department also informed that this season will be the last term for the old course students to examine of which 8,197 candidates need to give their attention to pass out
In the HSSLC examination, there are 26,757 candidates, of which 21,583 are from the Arts section, 3,021 from Science and 2,143 from Commerce, with a total of 79 examination centres in the state.     
The sources added that, the Private Candidates especially from Cherrapunjee, were all in confusion, when they received their respective Admit cards where, the photo of male candidate was that of female, and vise-visa.
Meanwhile, the report from Sohra, informed that, all the students appearing the HSSLC was confused on receiving their respective Admit card. The name is correctly written, while the photograph was changed.
The strange things is that, all the male candidates admit card was affixed with female’s photographs, and vice versa, and the name of the impression, therefore, in each Admit card there are two names.
They have all moved the board to rectify the same, such that, in declarations of result will not hamper the candidates.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, mar. 04: The 15-day long handloom and handicraft market kicked off in the city here on Thursday. The fair was inaugurated by Cooperation Minister Paul Lyngdoh at All Saints Cathedral.
There are a total of 25 stalls being displayed.
The handicraft fair is being organised by the Meghalaya Apex Handloom Weavers and Handicrafts Cooperative Federation Limited (MAHWHCFL) through the sponsorship of the Development Commissioner for Handloom, Government of India, Ministry of Textiles.
General manager, MAHWHCFL, SK Dey, said that the fair is being held to bring about closeness among local weavers to enable them to develop ideas of making handicraft materials.
“This is part of an interaction among the weavers from different areas state and those from outside and thus will enable them to develop techniques for improving their handicraft profession,” Dey said.
He said that the products were expected to see a turnover of Rs three lakh.
The local participants are from all over the district of the state. Four states will also be participating including Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur and are expected to arrive by Friday, Dey said.
This is the second time that MAHWHCFL has organised a handicraft event in the state.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG Mar. 04: Leader of Opposition in the state Conrad K Sangma on Thursday urged Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to take up with the Bangladesh Government the matter of resolving the continuing unrest at Muktapur at the earliest.
In a letter sent to Chidambaram, Sangma drew the attention of the Centre to the tense situation in Muktapur along the Indo-Bangladesh border caused by the recent unprovoked firing by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) which was retaliated by the BSF. The cross firing occurred thrice in Muktapur on February, 14 and 28.
“These incidents have branched out of the issue of adverse possession and the random firing by the BDR has led to more panic among the local people and increased the overall tension. Traditionally the main source of livelihood for the local people has been fishing, which they have been doing in the land/water bodies which fall under “adverse possession,” Sangma informed Chidambaram.
Many families residing in Muktapur area have fled to safer places in the nearby jungles and villages fearing impending firing from BDR.
With the Joint Monitoring Group constituted by India and Bangladesh to monitor and verify the credentials of the land claimed by the two countries likely to start surveying all enclaves and areas under adverse possession in April, Sangma said that the problem of “adverse possession” is complicated and requires intense field work, surveys, talks and negotiations at the highest level while appreciating Centre for taking necessary steps to find solution to the problem.
Urging the Union Home Minister to request Bangladesh to maintain status quo in terms of economic activities taking place in land under “adverse possession” to bring the situation under control, said, “Till the time Joint Monitoring Group conducts the surveys and continues the talks, status quo could be maintained to allow the local people to continue their day to day activities and restore peace in the affected area.”
Approximately, 2771.86 acres of Indian land are in adverse possession of Bangladesh against around 2922.25 acres of Bangladesh land under “adverse possession” of India.
A copy of the letter was also sent to Chief Minister, Union Ministers of State Vincent H Pala and Agatha K Sangma and Rajya Sabha MP Thomas A Sangma.

Garo Hills News Agency
TURA, Mar. 04: The Garo Students’ Union (GSU) has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Dr. DD Lapang demanding improvement of the road and education scenario in the Garo Hills region.
The GSU has demanded that a higher secondary school be set up at the headquarters of all the three districts and at the sub-division with Science and Commerce streams. The union has further urged the government to speed up the setting up of the Ganol Hydel Power Project and Nongalbibra Thermal Power project.
The student body has also demanded that the national highways in Garo Hills be double lane and all district headquarter and sub-divisions have auditoriums.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, Mar. 04: Two siblings, a brother and sister, have gone missing from their residence at Madanrting, Pata.
Jason Khyriem (11) and his sister Debora Khyriem (8) went missing from their house since March 2 at around 3 pm.
Any person having any information about the missing children may contact the nearest police station or CHILDLINE in the emergency toll free number, 1098.

Staff Reporter
Shillong, Mar. 04: The Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) employees on Thursday agitated by putting on black flags in protest against not being paid as per the Fourth Pay Commission.
Shillong Municipal Employees Association president S. Pyngrope said that the government has turned a deaf ear inspite of repeated demands.
Vowing to continue their agitation if the government fails to heed their demands, the association said that they had earlier met former Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh, who had assured them that they would be paid according to the recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission by February, but the assurance ended with the shift in power.

Staff Reporter
Shillong, Mar. 04: The deficit school teachers of the state are yet to receive their new pay scale as recommended by the Fourth Pay Commission.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, ED Nongsiang, president of the Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers Association (KJDSTA), said that they were yet to get their 40 percent arrears even as other employees of the government have already received it.
In this regard, the KJDSTA along with the Garo Hills Deficit School Teachers and Employees Association (GHDSTEA) on Thursday met the state Education Minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh.
According to Nongsiang, the talks were inconclusive. “We discussed with the Education Minister about the delay in getting our new pay scale but it was unsatisfactory,” he said. 
However, the Education Minister assured the delegation that she would look into the matter. However, unsatisfied with the assurance of Lyngdoh, the teachers have decided to meet Chief Minister Dr. DD Lapang. 
“We had completed all the formalities from our side but the delay seems to be on the part of the government,” the president said
Nongsiang informed that during their meeting with Lyngdoh, officers from the Education Department were also present. “But we were surprised that the officers could not give any information about the status of the arrears,” he stated.
Meanwhile the general secretary of the KJDSTA said, “There is a general lack of commitment on the part of the government to the cause of the teachers.”
The delegation of teachers who met the Education Minister also urged her to take up the issue of medical reimbursement with the government. According to the KJDSTA, at present they do not receive medical reimbursement nor pension benefits and instead of Gratuity Provident Fund (GPF) they receive Contributory Provident Fund (CPF).
The teachers also said that they were unsure if an education policy for the state exists. “At present, there are too many schools under different categories and there should be a change in policy of labeling schools under different categories,” the association said. “There should be only two categories of schools - government and private,” the teachers asserted.

Staff Reporter
NONGSTOIN: Within a short span of two months, almost 6,000 bottles of liquor were seized in and around Nongstoin area by the Seng Longkmie New Nongstoin.
On Thursday, the Seng Longkmie for the fifth times, destroyed all seized liquor from Nongstoin areas.
“It is an arranged routine to destroy all seized liquor every two months,” said president and secretary P. Byrsat and A.K.Syntiew adding that they would continue to work for the interest of the people.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, Mar. 04: Despite strong protests from truckers against setting up of check gates which the people manning the gates, according to them, resort to illegal collection of money, Nongstoin MLA Hoping Stone Lyngdoh, has asked the government to check trucks plying in West Khasi Hills district carrying overload by putting up a gate at Nongstoin.
In a letter addressed to the government through Principal Secretary incharge Transport, Lyngdoh who is also the chairman of the Meghalaya State Development Reforms Commission (MSDRC) questioned the removal of the check gate at Nongstoin which he had last year asked the West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner to set up to conduct checking on overloaded trucks.
Lyngdoh blamed overloaded trucks for the damaged roads in the district especially those ferrying coal and timber.
“Trucks are permitted to carry only 12 to 15 tons but most are carrying 25 to 30 tons. As a result, nearly all the roads in West Khasi Hills are in bad condition making the public suffer,” Lyngdoh said.
Truckers from the state and West Khasi Hills in particular, have always demanded the government to dismantle all check gates installed along roads.
Recently, Shahlang Coal Dealers and Owners Association (SCDOA) alleged that illegal collection from truckers in the district was yet to come to a halt though the state government had given assurances to put a stop on illegal toll gates.
The SCDOA alleged that each truck ferrying coal going from Shahlang to Assam has to pay not less than Rs 35,000 per trip to people manning toll gates.
The SCDOA alleged that people extorting money from trucks claim to collect money for the clan’s land while others demand money in the name of the three weigh bridges set up along the particular road.

Our Bureau
SHILLONG, Mar. 04: While appreciating the efforts of the Border Security Force (BSF) with regard to the incidents at Muktapur, Jaintia Hills, the Hill State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP) has condemned the alleged unprovoked firing incidents by troops of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR).
The HSPDP has urged the Centre to take up the matter with the Bangladesh Government at the highest level so as to defuse the situation and take up confidence building measures among the residents of Muktapur and adjacent villages along the border. The party also called on the Centre to settle the boundary issue with the neighbouring country ‘once and for all’.
The party further urged the state government to immediately take up relief measures for the affected people.
The HSPDP expressed disappointment with the national media for being ‘indifferent’ to the incidents occurring along the border. It also expressed appreciation to the NGOs who will be visiting Muktapur on March 5 and the NCP Meghalaya State Unit for having done so earlier.
Meanwhile, the party also slammed the Union Budget, saying it defeats the purpose of  inclusive growth as projected in the 11th Plan where initiatives to arrest poverty and unemployment are found wanting adding that even the ‘much praised NREGA’ does not  have a substantial allocation during the 2010-11 financial year.
It said that the Budget does not mention how price rise and inflation will be tackled and also slammed the increase in fuel prices, saying that this would inevitably hit the North East which is dependent on motor transport of goods.

New Delhi, Feb 26 (PTI) The government today said the budget proposals will push up prices marginally by 0.4 to 0.43 per cent in the immediate run.
“It (budget proposals) is going to cause a blip right now...our calculation is 0.4 to 0.43 per cent,” said Kaushik Basu, Chief Economic Adviser, while answering questions on the impact of budget proposals on inflation at the customary post-budget press briefing.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in his Budget raised duties on consumer goods, including cars, tobacco, petrol, diesel etc.
Inflation, which at one point was below zero, soared to 8.56 per cent in January, surpassing the RBI’s year-end projection of 8.5 per cent.
According to Basu, inflation was likely to remain firm for some more time but would remain within the double-digit mark till March-end.
Replying to questions on the changes in the duties on petroleum products, Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla said petrol and diesel will go up on account of additional taxes but hike in retail prices would have to be decided by the companies.
Referring to assumptions in the Budget, Chawla said, the government estimated a GDP growth rate of 8.5 per cent.
On the impact of 2 per cent increase in excise duty on non-petroleum goods, Chawla said that the proposal would yield the exchequer Rs 14,000 crore.
Hike in Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) from 15 per cent to 18 per cent, he added, would fetch an additional Rs 6,000 crore but the government would sacrifice Rs 5,000 crore as other concessions.
With regard to pursuing tax reforms, Chawla said that government would like to roll out Direct Taxes Code (DTC) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) together in April 2011.
While the DTC seeks to replace the Income Tax Act, 1961, the GST will subsume various indirect taxes like excise, VAT and Service Tax.
The government, he added, tried to keep fiscal deficit under check without compromising on essential expenditure.
The effort, Chawla said, was to raise plan outlay during the next fiscal, while restricting the growth of non-plan expenditure.
The fiscal deficit for 2010-11 has been pegged at 5.5 per cent down from 6.9 per cent in the current fiscal. The government, he added, would endeavour to reduce it further to 4.8 per cent in 2011-12 and 4.4 per cent a year after that.
Giving the rationale for relief to income tax payers, he added, the proposal was aimed at raising savings rate which had declined in the recent past.

New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) Petrol prices are expected to increase by Rs.2.71 per litre and those of diesel by Rs.2.55 per litre from midnight Friday following Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s budget that restored basic duty on petrol, diesel and crude petroleum as well as raised central excise duty by Re.1.
In his 2010-11 budget speech11, Mukherjee said that with oil prices rising alarmingly to about $112 per barrel last year the government had exempted fuel from basic customs duty to give relief to oil marketing companies.
But, with global prices comparatively lower right now, the government had taken the step to improve the fiscal position by restoring basic duty and increasing excise duty.
“In view of the pressing need to move back to a fiscal consolidation path, I propose to restore the basic duty of 5 percent on crude petroleum; 7.5 percent on diesel and petrol and 10 percent on other refined products. I also propose to enhance the Central Excise duty on petrol and diesel by Re.1 per litre each,” said Mukherjee.

According to ministry sources, this translates into an increase of Rs.2.71 per litre for petrol and Rs.2.55 percent per litre for diesel.
A notification is expected soon to formally mark the upward revision of the prices. Sources pointed out that the implementation of revision of indirect taxes is usually done from midnight. “So, it is likely that the prices could rise from midnight. We are waiting for the notification,” said an official.
The fuel price increase provoked angry opposition MPs to walk out of the Lok Sabha, possibly the first time during a budget speech.
The duty of five percent on crude petroleum would be a major hit for refiners like Reliance, who have been instrumental in making India a refining hub in the region.
Mukherjee made a special mention of the Kirit Parikh committee, which had submitted its report recently on a viable and sustainable system of pricing of petroleum products.
It had recommended price deregulation of petrol and diesel, as well as a sharp decrease in subsidy of cooking gas and kerosene. However, expecting a political fallout, the government had so far dithered on implementing the recommendations.
“Decision on these recommendations will be taken by my colleague, the minister of petroleum and natural gas, in due course,” said Mukherjee.
The total under-recoveries of the oil marketing companies are expected to reach Rs.40,000 crore this year, with the government not willing to go by the earlier formula of providing oil bonds. Instead, the finance ministry has only given Rs.12,000 crore in cash so far.
“I have made a conscious effort to avoid issuing bonds to oil and fertiliser companies. I would like to continue with this practice of extending government subsidy in cash, thereby bringing all subsidy related liabilities into our fiscal accounting,” Mukherjee said.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 26: The four days Budget session of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) starts on Friday to take up the Vote on Accounts for three months covering a period from April 1, to June 30. During this period, total expenses to be incurred by the Council amounts to Rs. 13,20,84,910 was tabled on the floor of the House by Executive Member (EM) incharge Finance Antonio War.
The EM finance also announced on the floor of the House the decision taken by the Executive Committee to implement the pay revision for employees of KHADC which would be implemented in accordance with the Fourth Pay Commission the State government.
War informed that the EC would be approaching the State government to seek more fund to pay the arrears to the employees of the Council.
As per the break up, the highest estimated expenditure is Civil Works and Development at Rs 7,73,21,000 followed by General Administration Department at Rs 2,57,48330. However the least estimated expenditure is Education and Law Departments at Rs 4,70,270 and Rs 6,84,260 respectively.
The estimated expenditure for other departments included Rs 89,93,350 for Forest Administration Department, Rs 65,49060 for Revenue and Finance Department, Rs 49,18,970 for Enforcement Scheme for protection of Tribal Land and Insterest, Rs 38,40,880 for Legislative Department and Rs 35,58,790 for Administration of Justice and Judicial Department.

During Question Hours, the Chief Executive Member (CEM), Monsturdy Nongren, in a reply to Teinwell Dkhar, the MDC from Shella, informed that according to the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC), promotion to the vacant post of Under Secretary has been filled up on the criteria of merit, competence and sincerity, amongst others, and not merely on seniority.
On the Question posed by Latiplang Kharkongor, MDC from Nongthymmai, the Executive Member (EM) in Charge Elaka, L Blah replied that the EC has directed every Elaka/ Hima to convene a general meeting at least once a year.
The EM in Charge Forest, J M Tynsong, admitted to a query by Latiplang Kharkongor that rampant felling of trees in and around East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, as reported in the media, is going on. These happen mostly in private owned forests. However, KHADC has been upholding the Supreme Court order, 1996 and for which full reports of the Inquiry Committee, constituted a few months back, is soon expected.
The First Amendment on the nomination and election of the Syiem, Deputy Syiem and Electors Bill, 2010 relating to Maharam and Nongstoin Syiemships have been introduced for  consideration, debate on which will be taken up on Wednesday, March 3.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 26: Appointment of political appointees into various State government-owned Boards, Corporations and Commissions has clear indication of favoritism due to politicians pressures. So is in the case of posting and transferring of bureaucrats and officers from one department to another and one locations to another.
There are bureaucrats and officers who are victims of “dislike” by politicians against their performances or policies in which they were victimized in the form of transfer. Whereas “favoritism” is mainly applicable to people who are relatives or close associates of politicians.
The latest transfer order issued by the State Home (Police) department on Thursday regarding the transfer of police officers has enough evidence to indicate this fact.
Herbert Lyngdoh has been brought back as DSP (City) despite being transferred only in the month of August last year as Asst Commandant of MLP 1st Battalion. He was transferred from the post of DSP (City) to take charge as Asst Commandant of MLP 1st Battalion when the model code of conduct was in place in view of the Laitumkhrah Assembly bye-election. Lyngdoh is the brother of Education Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh.

Staff Reporter Shillong, Feb 26: The State government has projected an amount of nearly Rs 3000 crore in its proposal for the Annual Plan Allocation of 2010-2011 to be submitted to the Planning Commission of India for approval. Official sources informed that the Planning Department has completed the process of preparing the detailed proposal of the State’s annual plan size for the year 2010-2011, adding that the annual plan proposal would be taken to the Cabinet first for approval before submitting it to the Planning Commission of India. Refusing to divulge the exact amount being projected in the annual plan proposal, sources however said that the amount is more than the annual plan proposal for the year 2009-2010 submitted last year. Last year the State has projected an amount of Rs 2500 crore as the Annual Plan outlay for 2009-2010 in its proposal but the Planning Commission approved only Rs 2100 crore. After the proposal is submitted to the Planning Commission, officials from the State Government would hold initial discussion with members of the Planning Commission on the Annual Plan outlay proposed by the State to be held in New Delhi soon. However, the discussion for final approval of the annual plan allocation would be held between a delegation of officials to be led by the Chief Minister DD Lapang and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 26: The two days Ranikor Beach Festival 2010, organized by the Mawkyrwat Sub-Division Officers Welfare Association (MSDOWA) was inaugurated on Friday in a very extravaganza style, had attracted many visitors coming from outside the State.
The Festival was declared open by the IT Minister A.T Mondal as the Chief Guest in the presence of the Parliamentary Secretary of Tourism & Industry Dr P.W Khongjee who assist the Chief Minister was as the Guest of Honour, the Minister of PWD & C&RD, Local MLA M.M Danggo, MLA of Mawthengkut F.R Sangma, MLA of Mawkyrwat R. Lyngdoh and along the officers of the area.
In his address, Mondal encourages the people to exhibit more of such kind of festive and boost the economy of the State, he also said as the beginner we need to improve and put ourselves in the World map of tourism.
Speaking at the function Dr. Khongjee said that tourism maintenance is their chief agenda to bring back the richness and beauty of the area once again here in Ranikor Beach.
He also said that the MPA Government has done its finest in preparing the projects sent to the Central Government to achieve more Schemes, and attraction of tourist to this region, he also assure the people that the beach will be further develop.

DHAKA, Feb. 25 (MIPR): Chief Minister Dr. DD Lapang on Thrursday reiterated the need for opening up of border haats along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
During his speech at the inaugural session of the India Trade Fair 2010, North East India Bangladesh Trade & Investment Summit held at Sheraton Hotel, Dhaka, Bangladesh, which was inaugurated by the Bangladesh Finance Minister, Abul Maal A Muhith on Thursday, Dr. Lapang stated: “The recent visit of Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina Wajed, Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India is a landmark in the history of the relationship between India and Bangladesh. The two countries reached several areas of understanding which would result in wide ranging consequences both economic and political. Visionaries like our Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and Sheikh Hasina Wajed reaffirmed the shared historical bondage, traditional linkages, socio economic inter-dependence between the two countries which envisages opening the doors to a new phase in our bilateral relations. With the new spirit and encouragement received from this engagement, I am standing here on the soil of Bangladesh to pick up the threads and explore the possibility of restructuring the historical bondage for progress and economic development of the people on both sides of the border.”

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb. 25: The Chief Secretary WMS Pariat, said that the Railway Authority of India has communicated with the Meghalaya Government on the Byrnihat railway project and has sought clearance from the state government.
Pariat assured that clearance would be provided soon.
Reacting to the Union Railway Minister Mamata Banarjee’s action including the work of Byrnihat-Shillong as a national project in her Budget presented on Wednesday, Pariat in an exclusive interview said, in Meghalaya, the government is concentrating on two focal points – the Garo Hills railway project and the Byrnihat railway project.
He added that land acquisition process for the Garo Hills has already been initiated after the survey of the alignment provided by the railway authority.
In the Garo Hills sector, the government is expected to hand over land in another two- three months to the railway authority, while for the Byrnihat project, land can only be handed over next year. Rail connectivity to Shillong would be a dream fulfilled for the state which does not have a railway, Pariat said.
Pariat, however, said that clearance would be given soon, after which the land acquisition proposal will be initiated, adding that everything was dependent on the time frame indicated by the railway authority.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb. 25: Sending a strong signal that no one is above the law, a police official has been convicted of rape.
The District and Session Judge on Wednesday sentenced a sub-inspector to 10 years imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 10,000.
John R Marak, Sub-Inspector with the Meghalaya Police had raped a woman at a city hotel in September, 2006.
Based on the investigation gathered by three officers, B Lyngkhoi, KR Marak and Usha Sinha from Sadar Police Station, former colleagues of the sub-inspector, the court was finally able to convict Marak.
“Nobody is above the law, criminals are criminals irrespective of their position,” a senior police official said.
A police official said that Marak was put under suspension after the registration of the case in 2006 and a termination letter addressed to him has been dispatched.

DHAKA, Feb. 25 (MIPR): Chief Minister Dr. DD Lapang, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M. Lanong, called on Bangladesh Premier Shiekh Hasina, and submitted a memorandum seeking her intervention on the various aspects of promoting trade and commerce between Bangladesh and Meghalaya with stress on connectivity in the form of roads, riverine and air between Dhaka / Sylhet and Shillong and bus services from strategic areas in Garo Hills to Bangladesh as well as the Shillong – Sylhet route.
He also informed her that daily flights have begun operating in the Delhi – Kolkata – Shillong sector and that the Shillong airport was in the process of being upgraded and expanded.
The Chief Minister also voiced concern over the recent firing incident at Muktapur asking her to mitigate the pathetic plight of the affected villagers.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the Khasi Students’ Union of Bangladesh led by its president, Bimol Lyngdoh, on Thursday called on Dr Lapang in Dhaka, expressing their desire to have exchange cultural programmes with the Khasis of Meghalaya.