Author Archives: TARIQ ABDULLAH

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 27: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has strongly defended the ongoing foreign trips undertaken by several Meghalaya politicians and senior IAS officers, even as the Centre has urged all states to adopt austerity measures in response to the challenging global economic situation.

Sangma clarified that the foreign visits in question were politically approved and financially cleared well before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity.

He pointed out that such international programmes usually require 3-4 months of preparation, and many were already in the pipeline, with bookings made and expenditures incurred.

“Some of the teams are already outside the country because the entire process was completed much earlier. Political clearance was also given by the Centre,” the Chief Minister said.

The statement comes at a time when several high-profile figures from the state, including Cabinet Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, and senior bureaucrats such as Chief Secretary Shakeel P. Ahammed, Vijay Kumar, and C.V.D. Diengdoh, are attending various programmes abroad.

Sangma, however, assured that the government has taken a firm stand on new proposals.

“I have personally put on hold every single trip that was proposed after the Prime Minister’s announcement. We have to follow the Centre’s direction in the larger interest of the nation,” he asserted.

Despite the CM’s clarification, the issue has triggered sharp criticism from the public. Many citizens have expressed disappointment and anger over what they see as open defiance of the austerity appeal.

continue to bear the burden of rising fuel prices, LPG costs, and inflation, the frequent foreign travels by ministers and top officials have been widely perceived as unnecessary luxuries.

Opposition parties and social activists have, time and again, questioned the real benefits these foreign trips bring to the state.

Critics argue that while exposure to international best practices can be useful in sectors like tourism, health, and agriculture, greater transparency is needed regarding the purpose, outcomes, and cost-benefit analysis of such visits.

The controversy has also highlighted a larger national debate on fiscal discipline.

With the Union government pushing for cost-cutting in non-essential areas, many are watching how state governments like Meghalaya balance official duties with public expectations of accountability and restraint.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 27: Tension at Lapangap continues to simmer despite ongoing talks between Meghalaya and Assam over the disputed area, with indications that the understanding at the Chief Ministers’ level has yet to reflect on the ground amid concerns over the role of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council in the stand-off.

Briefing reporters on Wednesday, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said he has been in constant touch with his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma and is coordinating with the Karbi Anglong administration, MLAs, and district authorities, as both states attempt to defuse the situation in Lapangap. (Contd on P-7)

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 27: The state government on Wednesday attributed Meghalaya’s poor performance in the national Performance Grading Index (PGI) to long-standing struc- tural and administrative challenges in the education sector.

The government is hopeful that reforms initiated over the past few years would gradu- ally improve the state’s rankings.

Briefing reporters, Chief Minister Con- rad K. Sangma said education remained a “complicated and sticky” subject. He said multiple factors contributed to Meghalaya being placed at the bottom of the latest PGI 2.0 assessment released by the Ministry of Education.

The report placed Meghalaya as the lowest-performing state in the country with a score of 417.9 out of 1,000, relegating it to the 10th and lowest grade category.

Though the state’s score improved mar- ginally from 401.6 in 2022-23, it remained behind other low-ranking states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland and Bihar.

Sangma said one of the key factors affect- ing Meghalaya’s performance was the struc- ture of the school system, where multiple schools often functioned within the same building but were registered separately with different Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) numbers.

According to him, each school was as- sessed independently under the PGI frame- work which adversely impacted the state’s average performance.

The Chief Minister said the government had already made several interventions to address weaknesses in the education sec- tor, including the introduction of structured pay for teachers. He maintained that such reforms were specifically aimed at improv- ing educational outcomes and strengthening Meghalaya’s future PGI performance.

Sangma said the state had started wit- nessing improvements in certain indicators, particularly in reducing dropout rates, which had fallen to around six per cent – below the national average.

He stated that Meghalaya’s dropout rate had earlier been affected by poor SSLC pass percentages, as students, who failed in the Class 10 examinations, were unable to pursue higher secondary education.

Stating that reforms in education take time to show results, (Contd on P-7)

On the auspicious occasion of Eid-Al-Adha, I extend my heartfelt wishes and warmest greetings to you and your family, especially to the Muslim community. This significant day commemorates the timeless virtues of sacrifice, devotion, and unyielding faith, serving as a profound reminder of the universal values of compassion, and selflessness.

As families and friends gather to celebrate this sacred time, may the blessings of Eid bring enduring joy, peace, and immense prosperity to your home. Let us embrace the true spirit of giving by extending our hearts and hands in kindness to those who are less fortunate, ensuring the light of this festival touches everyone.

Wishing you a blessed, peaceful, and joyful Eid-Al-Adha, filled with meaningful moments and cherished memories.

===AUTHOR’S NAME AND AFFILIATION===
Conrad K. Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 27: Amid growing criticism and allegations of favouritism, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday strongly defended the state government’s decision to award massive infrastructure projects worth over Rs 1,900 crore to Hyderabad-based BAC Infratech Pvt. Ltd.

Sangma stated that the government is bound to follow all established procedures, rules, and statutory requirements while allotting large-scale projects, irrespective of the company involved.

“These are not small shops or small businesses that you are trying to open in villages. These are large investments requiring thousands of crores. These cannot be done just because somebody wants it to be done,” the Chief Minister said.

He emphasised that such mega projects can only be executed through proper procedures, which the government is committed to following strictly. “If there is any favouritism, it will eventually come out in the open,” he added.

The Chief Minister’s remarks come in the wake of widespread criticism over the allocation of multiple high-value projects to BAC Infratech across various parts of the state, particularly under the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department.

The company has bagged projects amounting to thousands of crores, with several tenders allegedly floated through offline processes. The issue gained further attention after the project cost of Phase 1 of the New Shillong Township jumped significantly from Rs 538 crore to Rs 772 crore. BAC Infratech is also executing the Tura Water Supply Scheme at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 400 crore, among other significant projects.

GUWAHATI, May 27: The Assam Assembly on Wednesday passed the UCC Bill, which seeks to establish a common legal framework to govern marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships irrespective of religion, even as the opposition demanded it be sent to a select committee.

MLAs representing the ruling NDA in the Assam Assembly said the UCC Bill seeks to protect women’s rights and is not against any religion or religious practice.

With the passage of the proposed legislation, Assam became the third state, after Uttarakhand and Gujarat, to pass a Uniform Civil Code Bill. Goa also has one common civil law, which continued from its erstwhile Portuguese colonial period.

===AUTHOR’S NAME AND AFFILIATION===

NEW DELHI, May 27: Delivering a major victory for the Election Commission, the Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld its power to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls and said the exercise “breathes life” into the constitutional mandate for fair elections.

Ruling on the intensely debated issue, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant held that deletion from the voter list does not amount to a legal declaration that an individual is not a citizen.

The bench, also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, said the poll panel was empowered under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act (RPA) to carry out special revisions.

Related reports on P-5

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 27: A small but remarkable discovery has emerged from the leaf litter at the sacred groves at Mawphlang in East Khasi Hills.

Scientists have identified a new species of toad — now named Duttaphrynus dhara — in honour of the traditional Khasi female attire “Dhara”. The name is a beautiful tribute to the rich cultural heritage, deep-rooted traditions, and the timeless bond the Khasi people share with their forests and hills.

The discovery happened during routine field surveys in the high-elevation landscapes of Mawphlang, at around 1,854 metres above sea level. The tiny toads were found hiding among low vegetation and leaf litter in fallow agricultural fields bordering thick montane forests.

Unlike the common Asian toad that thrives near human settlements, this new species appears to prefer the quieter, forest-edge habitats — a true child of the wild hills.

Duttaphrynus dhara is a small, charming toad. Adult males measure just 40 to 41.8 mm in length. It has a compact body, a wide head, no strong cranial ridges, and skin covered with numerous pointed, rough warts. In the soft light of the hills, it displays a brown body adorned with irregular black patches, a thin pale line running down its back, dark fingers and toes, and a creamy white belly marked with black blotches. (Contd on P-7)

CHANDRASHEKHAR H. VIJAYASHANKAR

Governor

LOK BHAVAN

SHILLONG – 793001

MEGHALAYA

INDIA

On the occasion of Id-U’l-Zuha, popularly known as Bakrid, I convey my warm greetings and sincere wishes to the people of Meghalaya, particularly to our Muslim brothers and sisters celebrating this sacred festival.

The essence of Bakrid inspires us to uphold the ideals of compassion, harmony, and togetherness. Let it encourage us to build a more inclusive society, where progress is shared and every individual is respected and valued. By strengthening our bonds of friendship and solidarity, we can move forward with a collective sense of purpose.

May this auspicious festival usher in peace, prosperity, and happiness in every home across Meghalaya, throughout India, and around the world. May we continue to be guided by compassion and understanding, shaping a brighter and more hopeful future for all.

Sd/-

(C.H. Vijayashankar)

Governor of Meghalaya

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 27: Shifting from his earlier opposition, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday indicated a more flexible and relaxed position on the proposed Uniform Civil Code, citing comfort with recent laws enacted in Assam and Uttarakhand that exempted tribal customary laws.

Sangma, however, maintained that the Meghalaya government would reserve its final stand until it thoroughly examines the actual contents and framework of any proposed UCC.

Addressing reporters, the Chief Minister said he had consistently maintained that it was difficult to take a firm position on the UCC without seeing its exact provisions. He noted that the term “Uniform Civil Code” itself is broad and open to interpretation.

“My initial opposition stemmed from concerns that tribal customary practices and Meghalaya’s matrilineal system could be overridden by a national legal framework,” Sangma said.

He recalled that when the UCC was first discussed, there was widespread apprehension among tribal communities that their unique laws and traditions would be affected. However, after studying the UCC-related laws implemented in Assam and Uttarakhand, he expressed that he was “slightly more at comfort” because both states had specifically kept tribal customary laws outside their ambit.

Sangma added that the inclusion of safeguards protecting tribal rights has changed the context of the debate to some extent. Nevertheless, he stressed that Meghalaya would continue to examine any future proposal carefully from both legal and political angles before taking a final position.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the state’s primary concern remains the protection of its matrilineal system and indigenous tribal customs.