Shillong, June 1: The budget earmarked for the small-scale industry and tourism sectors is expected to be hiked with the 12th Finance Commission showing interest in augmenting the budgetary allocation of these sectors in Meghalaya. A team of the 12th Finance Commission is currently in Shillong on a two-day visit to assess the state’s financial growth and needs during the next Five-Year Plan period.

The team, headed by C. Rangarajan, met ministers and state government representatives and members of industry and commerce organisations.

While the commission members did not disclose the...

Silchar, June 1: Mediators trying to secure the release of Assam minister G.C. Langthasa’s youngest son Nirmal from Ulfa custody have reached a dead end. A member of the Langthasa family said last night that the militant group was unwilling to set Nirmal, a businessman, free without taking full advantage of the situation.

He said Ulfa members based in Karbi Anglong, who had been negotiating with the mediators, became incommunicado after conveying the message that any decision on the topic would henceforth be taken only by the top leadership.

Driven to despair by the deadlock, the minister’s...

Imphal, June 01: Breaking his silence with regard to the ever rising speculations over the fate of the Naga peace process following the change of leadership in the Indian politics, NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah has issued a statement from Bangkok that since the issue was between the Government of India and the "Naga people", change of guards in New Delhi would not, in any way hamper the Naga peace process. In a delayed statement made available to Newmai News Network in Dimapur today, Th Muivah while congratulating the Congress - led UPA Government, has expressed hope that the...

SHILLONG, June 1 – ‘Fake militant’ groups are involved in most of the cases of extortion in Meghalaya, and not necessarily the ‘real’ banned outfits, State director general of police L. Sailo has revealed. “Groups of petty criminals are trying to exploit the situation in the State and extorting money from businessmen in the name of banned outfits,” the police chief told The Assam Tribune in Shillong on Monday. “Such small-time extortion bids by petty criminals have always been carried out not only in Meghalaya but throughout the country,” Sailo said. The police have nabbed quite of few of...

IMPHAL, June 1 – With the stated objective of reaping the maximum benefits from the 12th Finance Commission, the State Government has approached the Commission to earmark a sum of Rs 14,000 crore for the State in the next five year Plan, which will come into effect from April next year and to set aside Rs 1000 crore to enable the State face its peculiar problems. The State Government submitted its presentation to the Commission team led by its Chairman C Ranga-ranjan, who arrived at the State on Sunday.

The Commission team left for Aizawl today after meeting representatives of the Government...