Meghalaya Times

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, April 15: NGOs in Meghalaya, under the banner of Campaign for Independent Lokayukta in Meghalaya (CILM), have taken their fight for a strong and effective Lokayukta Act in the state to a whole new level by petitioning the UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi to use her power and make the Congress led Meghalaya government to legislate the act in line with the central Lok Pal and Lokayutak Bill, 2011.

Staff Reporter
Tura, April 14: The aggrieved SET pass and contractual teachers, who were in Shillong for the past few days trying to get an appointment with the Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, have resolved to go on an indefinite hunger strike from April 16.
The strike has been called since Dr Sangma was unable to meet the aggrieved teachers who felt the CM was not serious about addressing their problem and would not help them get justice. The teachers felt hurt even though they were able to express themselves to the CM’s wife and sitting MLA from Mahendraganj, Dikkanchi D Shira.

Staff Reporter
TURA, April 14: The water crisis in Baghmara is one that has been bugging the border town for many years. Reportedly, people are said to have even had to buy potable water to ensure they do not die of thirst.
The town, which lies adjacent to the Simsang River, has not been able to utilize the resources nature has provided to them due to various man made problems. Taking the woes of the people into account, the NGOs of Baghmara had petitioned the administration to ensure the smooth functioning of water and electricity so that the people could get some respite in the months and years to come.

An iconic figure of special skills
Staff Reporter
Shillong, April 14: He was born normal but destiny had other plans for him. This is the story of Pyndaplang Thabah, who was born normal on February 15, 1983 at Mawngap Lumparing, to (L) Somio Sun and Dismera Thabah, but Polio changed his life forever. He was the third among his siblings.
This, however, did not deter his determination to succeed in life as he learnt necessary skills to get himself a descent livelihood and live with dignity in society.

Staff Reporter
TURA, April 14: The small village of Bilkona suffered a major heart break when almost all the shops in the area were consumed by a raging fire on April 3. The incident has gone unreported due to errors in communication.
Bilkona is situated in the South Garo Hills, about 40 kilometers from the district headquarter, Baghmara. A total of almost 30 shops were completely gutted in the fire. The incident was reported to the authority; however, no action has been taken and people are still clueless about where or how they would be compensated.

Shillong, April 13 (PTI): Two Garo rebels were on Saturday shot dead in an encounter with security forces in Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills district while the area commander of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) had a narrow escape, officials said.
Acting on a tip off about presence of the 'area commander' of GNLA and his associates in the area, specially trained commandoes of the state police and the CRPF’s CoBRA raided Koksi Nengsat village, 32 kilometer from the district headquarters falling under Songsak police station area.

Aizawl, April 13 (PTI): Mizoram Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department has asked all the Deputy Commissioners of the districts adjoining Myanmar to issue prohibitory orders banning import of pigs from that country.
State AH and Veterinary department director Dr L.B. Sailo said that the prohibitory orders would be issued by the concerned DCs during next week.

•    Eastern Panorama celebrates 21st anniversary with Achiever’s Award   • 
Staff Reporter
Shillong, April 13: To commemorate its 21st anniversary of publication, Eastern Panorama – The News Magazine of the North East, on Saturday initiated its first ever Achiever’s Award Ceremony at NEC auditorium Nongrim Hills, in which eight outstanding achievers of the North East were honored for their contribution to society.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, April 11: Meghalaya government on Thursday said it is keen in reviving traditional river routes with neighboring Bangladesh for trade and commerce since the state is not connected by air, rail or water routes.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma told the Assembly that the matter has already been taken up with the Union government, which in turn, raised the issue during discussions with its Bangladeshi counterpart. “In recent times there has been engagement with Bangladesh through the Government of India,” he said.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, April 11: Congress nominee Wansuk Syiem on Thursday created history by becoming the first woman from Meghalaya to be elected as Rajya Sabha MP.
Originally, the Rajya Sabha MP election was schedule to be held on April 18 but as Wansuk was the lone contestant, the result was declared on Thursday.

Staff Reporter
Shillong, April 11: Chief minister Dr Mukul Sangma has promised to ‘aggressively’ engage the Assam government in solving the vexed border dispute by ensuring the transfer of Block I & II areas under Karbi Anglong district of the neighboring state to Meghalaya.
The Chief Minister told the Assembly on Thursday that his government was seeking the transfer of the disputed blocks to Meghalaya on the basis of commonality and till such time the transfer takes place, the people living in the two areas will be included in all developmental endeavors of the state.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, April 11: With a vision to grab, nurture and promote local talented Gospel singing groups from different parts of Meghalaya, the management of Kingdom Talent Hunt (KTH) is going to organize a mega event called ‘Kingdom Talent Hunt 2013’.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, April 10: Nongkrem legislator, Ardent Basaiawmoit on Wednesday informed that Missionaries have threatened to close-down all of their educational institutions in state if the demanded amendments are not made to the Right to Information (RTE) Act, 2009, especially to composition of School Managing Committees (MCs).
Basaiawmoit brought this shocking news to the notice of the House on Wednesday while raising a Supplementary Query during the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session of Meghalaya Assembly.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, April 10: Bangladesh has opposed construction of two hydro-based power projects along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya until India and Bangladesh signs a water sharing agreement.
Meghalaya power minister Clement Marak told the assembly on Wednesday that Bangladesh has said the construction of the two dams will have adverse impact on Bangladesh sides, while replying to the Call Attention motion moved by Shillong West legislator Paul Lyngdoh.

Staff Reporter
Shillong, April 10: The Meghalaya Assembly on Wednesday resolved to empower the High Power Committee (HPC) to select the most suitable site and take all necessary steps for the expeditious construction of the much-awaited new building of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
Moving the resolution in the Assembly on Wednesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prestone Tynsong said the newly constituted High Power Committee in its last meeting had proposed to recommend to the House to empower the committee to select the site and decide on the construction of building of the Assembly building.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, April 09: Nongthymmai legislator, Dr Jemino Mawthoh Tuesday expressed concern over random urbanization in Meghalaya, particularly in Shillong that has led to stress and strain in urban living. He was of the opinion that if there are no checks and balances in his random urbanization along with its growing slums, then the state capital could soon be tagged as ‘slum’ of North East.
“This is a matter of serious concern where proper plan and management needs to be put in place while addressing the issue,” Dr Mawthoh said while moving a motion during the Budget Session of the ongoing Assembly here on Tuesday.
According to him, due to this accelerated growth in the population in urban centres of the state and mostly concentrated in Shillong there has been stress and strain as far as urban living is concerned.

One teacher for 233 students

Staff Reporter
Tura, April 09: Meghalaya seems to be lagging far behind other states with concerns to the education department due to lack of teachers in Lower Primary schools. The school in question is the Morasuti Government LP School with a total of 233 students and amazingly just one teacher acting as Principal as well as caretaker of the school.
The school is situated in Bhaitbari area under the Rajabala constituency which earlier had two teachers. However, the transfer of one teacher from the school two years ago has made classes difficult with one teacher taking care of everything.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, April 09: The State Cabinet on Tuesday approved the proposed amendments to be brought in the Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill 2012, which will be tabled during the ongoing State Budget session.
Addressing newspersons after the meeting, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said, “The cabinet has considered the proposed amendments to be brought to the bill, and the same will be tabled during the current session.”

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, April 09: The NGOs in Meghalaya have demanded the government to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in state to check influx and illegal immigration, while suggesting that other mechanisms should be supplementary to the proposed system.

Staff Reporter
TURA, April 05: Fast fading green from hills, increasing population, lack of rain, depleting ground water, and the apathy of the PHE department has created a situation where people fighting over water in Garo Hills is not far. The case thus far is such that people have been making long queues in front of any watering holes they have been able to lay their hands on.