Author Archives: TARIQ ABDULLAH

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 27: Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Wednesday clarified the government’s stance on bike taxi aggregators, stating that the Transport department is ready to issue permits to all eligible operators.

The statement follows a meeting last week between the Deputy CM and a bike taxi aggregator company regarding the mandatory requirement of obtaining a trading licence from the District Council before operating commercially in the state.

Addressing concerns involving services such as Rapido, Dhar emphasised that the department’s role is to facilitate permits for those who fulfill the necessary requirements, adding that there is no intention to harass operators.

He further stated that the government is keen on granting permits to eligible individuals, particularly the youth, to support those looking to earn a livelihood through two-wheeler or four-wheeler services.

PTI

ITANAGAR, May 27: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday announced that the state government would create a separate department dedicated to the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to strengthen its enforcement and safeguard indigenous tribal rights.

The decision was taken during a seven-hour-long high-level consultative meeting attended by student bodies, community-based organisations (CBOs), legal experts, political parties and civil society groups to deliberate on issues related to indigenous rights, ILP enforcement and demands raised by the Arunachal Pradesh ST Bachao Andolan Committee (APSTBAC).

Describing the deliberations as one of the most extensive discussions held on the future of the state and its indigenous communities, Khandu said the government remained committed to protecting the identity, demographic security and constitutional rights of Arunachal Pradesh’s tribal population. “All community-based organisations, student bodies, representatives of political parties and other stakeholders attended the consultative meeting and shared their concerns and suggestions,” Khandu told reporters after the meeting.

Asked about the issue of illegal religious structures, he said the government would take action against all illegal mosques in the state. He said directions has already been issued to the chief secretary to prepare a detailed report on such structures across the state for further action.

Khandu said the government has accepted in principle all four demands submitted by APSTBAC, terming them “genuine”.

The demands included stronger protection of indigenous tribal rights, action against illegal immigrants, strict implementation of the ILP system and opposition to granting Scheduled Tribe status to non-tribal communities.

Seven-member delegations from the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF), the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), APSTBAC and legal experts were invited for a follow-up meeting on May 29 to prepare a roadmap on the issues discussed.

The developments come against the backdrop of a 36-hour bandh called by APSTBAC from May 14 over the “Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permit Guidelines, 2026”.

IMPHAL, May 27: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday said the Centre’s decision to constitute a high-level committee to study demographic changes in the country was historic. He expressed profound appreciation to the Central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for its decision to constitute the high-level committee. Lauding the initiative as a historic step, the Chief Minister noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s declaration of a “High-powered Demography Mission” on August 15, 2025, followed by the Union Cabinet’s approval on September 11, 2025, represents a historic and long-awaited intervention for the people of Manipur and other border states.

===AUTHOR’S NAME AND AFFILIATION===
IANS

ITANAGAR, May 27: The Arunachal Pradesh government on Wednesday signed an agreement with Greenko Demwe Power Ltd for developing the 1,750-mw Demwe Lower Hydroelectric Project, a statement said. The agreement marks one of the largest hydropower collaborations undertaken with a private sector developer in the state, it said. The Demwe Lower Hydroelectric Project will be developed on the Lohit river near Parasuram Kund and Brahma Kund, it added. The project will have five generating units of 342 mw each, along with one unit of 40 mw. It is expected to generate approximately 7,326 million units of electricity annually, making a substantial contribution to the country’s energy security, the statement said. The project site enjoys strategic connectivity through Dibrugarh airport and Tinsukia station in Assam, it said. (PTI)

MSME participants are expected to attend.

A workshop on ‘Formulating a Strategic Approach for Azolla Development and Utilization, will be organised by the Meghalaya Farmers’ (Empowerment) Commission on Friday from 10 AM onwards at the State Guest House, Taraghar, Shillong.

Greetings

The Founder Family of Islamia Secondary School, G.S. Road, Police Bazar, has extended greetings and best wishes to the people of Meghalaya, particularly the Muslim community, on the

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 27: IIM Shillong launched the 8th batch of its Doctoral Pro-gramme for Working Profes-sionals (PhDWP) and the 7th batch of the Post Graduate Programme for Working Executives (PGPWE) on May 26.

The ceremony was at-tended by Prof. Alok Kumar Rai, Director of IIM Calcutta, as the chief guest, alongside guests of honour Srikanth Srinivasan, Vice President at NASSCOM, and Dheeraj Gaur, CEO of Arete Capital Service Pvt. Ltd.

Prof. Naliniprava Tri-pathy, Director (I/C) of IIM Shillong, highlighted the institute’s commitment to academic excellence and ethical leadership.

She noted the institute’s growing global rankings and encouraged participants to focus on adaptability and continuous learning within the shifting business envi-ronment.

Chief guest Prof. Alok Kumar Rai spoke on the ris-ing global reputation of In-dian management institutes, stating that modern business education must be research-led and closely aligned with industry realities.

(Contd on P-7)

(PTI)

GANGTOK, May 27: Sikkim was declared a fully literate state in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday.

The declaration was made under the Centre’s ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) initiative by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang at the convocation ceremony of Sikkim University at Manan Kendra in Gangtok.

Congratulating the state government and people of Sikkim, the president described the achievement as a significant step towards inclusive development and social empowerment through education.

Sikkim Chief Minister Tamang also hailed the achievement and congratulated the people of the state.

“Heartiest congratulations to the people of Sikkim on the historic and proud occasion of our state being formally declared a Fully Literate State under the ULLAS, Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram,” he said.

Tamang described the development as a defining milestone in Sikkim’s educational and social journey and said it reflected the government’s commitment to ensuring that no adult citizen is left behind in the pursuit of knowledge, dignity and empowerment. “From the remotest villages to every block and gram panchayat, this mission has reached every corner of Sikkim with dedication and determination,” he said.

Tamang said the achievement was made possible by the enthusiasm and perseverance of learners from all age groups, many of whom learnt to read and write for the first time in their lives.

“Their determination embodies the true spirit of ‘Saakshar Sikkim’ and serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations,” he added.

The chief minister also expressed gratitude to the Education Department, volunteer teachers, educators, coordinators and officials associated with the literacy mission.

“Your selfless service, compassion, patience and unwavering commitment towards the upliftment of society have made this transformative initiative a grand success,” he said.

Describing literacy as the foundation of empowerment, equality and progress, Tamang urged people to continue working collectively towards building a stronger, enlightened and self-reliant Sikkim where knowledge and opportunities reach every citizen.

Anbolin Hek, mother of (L) Bishar H Hek, and a resident of Lumkshaid, Lower Mawprem, Block-4, passed away on Tuesday. The funeral service will be held at the Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Lumkshaid, at 2 PM on Friday.

From Our Correspondent

From Our Correspondent

MAWKYRWAT, May 27: Union Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, visited South West Khasi Hills district on Monday to review the implementation of central government schemes and interact with beneficiaries.

The Minister began his visit at Mawkyrwat Civil Hospital, where he distributed Ayushman Bharat cards and assessed healthcare services. He later inspected natural farming sites under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) at Wahsiej village. During an interaction with Self-Help Groups and “Lakhpati Didis,” Varma commended their efforts in organic farming and sustainable livelihood generation.

As part of the visit, the Minister inaugurated houses constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and handed over keys to the beneficiaries. He also inspected MGNREGS projects at Mawpon, where he participated in a tree plantation programme.

Recognising the district’s tourism potential, Varma visited the Rialng viewpoint at Mawranglang and encouraged the promotion of eco-tourism in the region.

Concluding the visit, the Minister chaired a meeting with district officials and departmental heads to assess the progress of various centrally sponsored schemes.

President Droupadi Murmu hands over a degree to an outgoing student during the seventh convocation ceremony of Sikkim University, in Gangtok, on Wednesday. (PTI)

PTI

GANGTOK, May 27: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said education is a powerful tool for women’s empowerment.

Addressing the 7th convocation of Sikkim University in Gangtok, Murmu noted that women students dominated the list of medal recipients, adding that there cannot be a better example of women’s empowerment through education. “I am glad to note that 70 per cent of the students receiving medals are girls,” she said.

Praising the achievements of the women students, Murmu said they had attained academic excellence through talent, hard work and determination, and wished them success in their future careers.

She also shared a series of ‘mantras’ for success with graduating students. “Trust in your abilities, learn from the experience and knowledge of others, collaborate instead of isolating yourselves, prioritise short-term and long-term goals, and become self-reliant and successful contributors to the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’,” she said.

The president also referred to the launch of the women-exclusive ‘Pink City Runner – Aama Didi Bahini Bus Sewa’ earlier in the day and thanked Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for giving her an opportunity to be a part of the initiative.

The newly launched bus service in Gangtok is operated entirely by women staff and dedicated exclusively to women commuters.

Murmu, who is on a three-day visit to Sikkim, also praised the Himalayan state for preserving its natural beauty and ecological balance. (PTI)