Politics / Meghalaya

SHILLONG, April 25 ? The spectre of the controversial Meghalaya House deal, which brought down the EK Mawlong Government in December last year, has returned to haunt the Government of his successor FA Khonglam, with a coalition partner demanding axing of the Finance Minister for his links to the scam, reports PTI. The United Democratic Party, a major partner of the ruling coalition, People?s Forum of Meghalaya demanding the head of Finance Minister AH Scott Lyngdoh, who had the same portfolio in the Mawlong Government when the controversy over the demolition of the Meghalaya House in Kolkata...

TURA, April 21? A section of the surrendered A?chik National Volunteers Council (SANVC) militants, housed in the Goeragre camp of the 2nd MLP battalion near Tura, have become disillusioned with the Meghalaya Government over the latter?s failure to implement its loudly proclaimed rehabilitation package for surrendered militants of the State. The package announced by the Government was meant to ensure that the surrenderees would be rehabilitated and given counselling so that they could return to the main stream. A financial package was also included for those who completed the rehabilitation...

TURA, April 18 ? The fifty years golden jubilee celebrations of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council got off to a start at Tura on Sunday with a twenty-one gun salute by the Garo Nokmas (village headmen). Initially there were supposed to be fifty Nokmas opening the celebrations but many failed to turn up. The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, earlier known as the GHDC came into existence on April 14, 1952. Late Captain Williamson Sangma, who later became the first Chief Minister of Meghalaya State, was also the first Chief Executive Member of the GHDC. Meghalaya Home Minister...

SHILLONG, April 18 ? The Congress party, a coalition partner in the Peoples? Forum of Meghalaya (PFM) Government, was likely to continue in the coalition despite differences within the party over dropping of seven Congress ministers, reports PTI. ?As the Treasury bench is unstable, the Congress cannot opt out of the Government,? Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyer, in-charge of north-eastern States, said here today. Aiyer arrived here yesterday for an on-the-spot study of the political situation in the State, held a marathon meeting last night at the residence of Meghalaya Pradesh Congress...

SHILLONG, April 16 ? Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr F A Khonglam has effected a minor reshuffle of portfolios of some of his Ministers on Friday, reports PTI. Chief Minister himself retained Cabinet Affairs, Political Personnel, Excise and other departments not alloted to any other Ministers. A H Scott Lyngdoh has retained Finance and Reorganisation and stripped his Law department.Law department has been given to O N Chyrmang besides his Elections, Stamps and Registration. H B Dan has been given additional charge of Parliamentary Affairs besides his PWD (Buildings). J D Rymbai who was looking...

SHILLONG, April 4 ? Meghalaya Government is keeping the doors open for discussions with the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), the two banned militant outfits in the State for a peaceful solution to the decade old problem, Chief Minister, Dr FA Khonglam, said Wednesday. He was replying to the discussions in the State Assembly on the amendments to the motion of thanks to the Governor?s address delivered on March 19. The State Government has already accepted the offer of the Shillong Khasi Jaintia Church Leaders? Forum (SKJCLF) to act...

SHILLONG, March 30 ? A ?Who?s Who in Meghalaya?, a directory featuring prominent personalities and outstanding achievers of the State was released here on Thursday by Sri HP Oflin Dohling, general secretary of the Ka Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong (the apex body of traditional headmen). Dohling applauded the efforts of the publisher Monolith Media Network in bringing out the publication while speaking at the release function at the Shillong Press Club. Rabibul Islam, editor of the volume, informed that distinguished persons from all walks of life have been included in the directory. The next...

SHILLONG, March 27 ? The Congress in Meghalaya suffered a major setback when sitting Rajya Sabha member OL Nongtdu received a drubbing in the contest to the lone seat from the state in the upper House today. Robert Kharshiing, president of NCP made it to the Rajya Sabha securing 46 seats against only 14 byNontdu in a house of sixty. More worrisome for the Congress was the fact that it could secure only14 votes though its strength in the House was 16, indicating that two of its members had cross-voted in favour of the NCP candidate. This is the second setback for the Congress during the last...

SHILLONG, March 22 ? The Congress Legislature Party of Meghalaya today unanimously decided to continue with their support to the Khonglam ministry and ensure stability and proper functioning of the government, reports PTI. All the 16 legislators including, associate member Augustine D Marak, after a marathon meeting of CLP last night decided to continue their support to the four-month-old People?s Forum of Meghalaya headed by Dr FA Khonglam. The meeting was held at MPCC president SC Marak?s residence on his return from New Delhi. The decision was taken despite the fact that seven of their...

SHILLONG, March 18 ? In a queer twist to the unstable politics in Meghalaya, the main Opposition United Democratic Party which was recently ousted from power, rejoined the government, raising the strength of the ruling coalition to 56 in a house of 60. The Congress, which is a major coalition partner in the People?s Forum of Meghalaya (PFM), received a big jolt as eight ministers belonging to the party were dropped from the Ministry headed by F A Khonglam.

All the dropped ministers were from the Garo Hills indicating Purno A Sangma?s hand in snubbing his reveals in his fiefdom. A shocked...